Magpies ride out the lows before flying to victory

FOUR unanswered goals in the final term set up Camperdown's first Hampden league reserves grand final win since 1999 on Saturday.

The Magpies overran first-time grand finalist North Warrnambool Eagles, 10.11 (71) to 6.11 (47).

The contest was close throughout, with the Eagles four points up at quarter- time, nine points up at half-time and three points up at three-quarter-time.

Camperdown coach Stephen Fitzgerald said the Magpies would savour the win.

"The boys wanted it, you could see it in their eyes," he said.

"We have struggled for 13 years. I have played in games where we haven't scored and in games where we were beaten by 200 points but we've stuck it out."

Camperdown captain Ash Spence lifted the premiership cup aloft with Fitzgerald, despite missing selection.

"Unfortunately we got a few players back from seniors and he missed out," Fitzgerald said. "To his credit, he got around the boys."

Fitzgerald said the Magpies went into a wind-assisted final quarter confident they could overcome the Eagles.

"I kept urging the boys to keep going. We wanted to run the game out," he said.

"We had done a lot of work throughout the year and we knew we could run the game out."

Retiring North Warrnambool Eagles coach Matt Jellie had nothing but praise for his history-making side.

"Our boys gave it everything they had," he said.

"It is disappointing but the way they fought the game out, we won't die wondering.

"They fought their guts out."

Jellie said he saw a bright future for the Eagles, across all football grades.

"They will get opportunities in the years to come," he said. "All the boys are on board for next year."

The opening term was tight and tough.

Retiring Eagles veteran Aaron Ross, who was involved in a bit of push and shove with Magpie Simon Jeanes, kicked the opening goal of the second term, putting his side 10 points up. It was the only goal of the period.

Camperdown's Jesse Gallichan had the chance to give the Magpies the momentum heading into half-time but his shot missed.

Magpie key forward Grant Place helped his side build to a nine-point advantage during the third quarter before North Warrnambool Eagles responded strongly, kicking three of the final four goals of the term.

Scores were level at one stage of the fourth period before Camperdown regained the lead with a touched behind.

Gallichan, Place and Robertson stood up, kicking three quick goals to put Camperdown 18 points up and in control of the contest.

Best-on-ground Gallichan fittingly kicked the final goal of a low-scoring match.

justine.mc@standard.fairfax.com.au