67-point turnaround ices fourth-to-first journey

TERANG Mortlake rose from an elimination final to crush minor premier Warrnambool in the Hampden under 18 grand final on Saturday.

The Bloods were in trouble early when they trailed by 25 points in the second term.

But from that point on, they took control.

The Bloods had gained the lead by half-time on their way to a 42-point win, 11.11 (77) to 5.5 (35).

It represented a 67-point turnaround from early in the second quarter.

Terang Mortlake kicked the final 10 goals of the game and kept Warrnambool to two points after half-time.

Bloods coach Bill Bourke admitted he was nervous when the Blues skipped to a 25-point lead.

"I was worried but I don't think they (the players) were," he said.

"The group of guys we have are really resilient and positive."

Bourke, who said the game was played at a high standard which highlighted the Hampden league's strength, said he started to enjoy the emotion deep into the final term.

"Once we were about four goals up I thought we could be home," he said.

"I was able to enjoy the last five minutes."

Bourke said Terang Mortlake was confident if it made finals it could have a significant impact.

The Bloods were keen to atone for their one-point loss in the 2011 decider against the Blues. "Last year's loss was gut-wrenching for the boys," he said.

"To their credit, they worked harder this year."

Warrnambool full-forward Will Couch kicked the opening goal of the game and Terang Mortlake's Alex Moloney responded.

It was a tight opening term but two quick goals to Warrnambool nearing quarter-time gave it a 12-point lead. The Blues burst out of the blocks in the second term.

Couch was given too much space out the back of the pack and kicked his third, while Jye Turland extended Warrnambool's lead to 25 points.

Terang Mortlake slowly began to fight back.

The Bloods found their run and carry and peppered the goals.

Jack Osborne kicked a goal in the middle of a series of behinds before Joe Arundell stepped up .

Arundell, who finished with five goals in a creative display, kicked the final two goals of the second term, the second of which put Terang Mortlake four points up at half-time.

The third term was a stalemate.

Neither side scored a goal and the defences held firm .

The final quarter belonged to the Bloods, with Sam Crawley, Osborne, Arundell, Tommy Moloney and Gus Bourke hitting the scoreboard.

The VCFL medal went to Terang Mortlake's Nathan Monk and his teammate Jordan Payne received the Ted Parker Medal.

justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au