- 14 and under netball

- Under 14 football

- 16 and under netball

- Under 16 football

SOUTH Warrnambool’s Hampden junior football dynasty continues to grow.

The current crop of under 16 boys – most of whom have won three premierships in the under 14 and under 16 grades – had to fight back after conceding a big lead to Hamilton Kangaroos in Sunday’s grand final, but went on to win 11.5 (71) to 8.6 (54).

The Kangaroos led by 25 points at quarter-time, but the Roosters pegged it back to eight by the main break, and led by eight at the final change, before withstanding a challenge in the fourth quarter.

“They were up against it in the first quarter and fought really hard to get themselves back in the game by half-time,” South Warrnambool coach John Atchison said.

“To be five goals down in the grand final is hard, (but) credit to the boys, they fought back really well.

“We didn’t slam three or four goals back on and get back into it, we really worked for two or three quarters … and by the end of that, I think they really knew they were on top and started to put the goals on then.”

The Roosters’ 16 and under netballers prevailed 19-17 in a thriller against Cobden.

There was barely anything separating the teams all day, but late in the fourth quarter, South Warrnambool managed to open up a two-goal break.

Coach Lisa Beks lauded the teamwork which she said got her charges across the line.

“What we’ve been working on all season is just putting it together one quarter at a time to get that whole game of intensity,” she said.

“They kept that pressure which helped ... they worked really hard so I’m really, really proud of them.”

Koroit reaped the reward of its hard work resurrecting its under 14 stocks with a 7.3 (45) to 3.6 (24) win over South Warrnambool.

The club had just eight regular players in its under 14 side two seasons ago, but coach Damian Noonan said Sunday’s flag triumph showed how they had turned things around.

“I think a team game (got us there) – you don’t have to give it to the best player, just give it to whoever’s in the best spot – and working hard for each other,” he said.

The Saints trailed early, going into quarter-time down by three points, but they rallied to take the lead in the second term, going on to post a big win guided by the likes of best-on-ground Paddy O’Sullivan and Ben Harvey, who laid vital tackles and booted four goals.

Warrnambool completed a remarkable turnaround in the junior netball, rising from 13 and under wooden-spooners last season to 14 and under premiers and champions this year.

The Blues broke away to an early lead, going on to defeat South Warrnambool 31-20.

“It’s been a big transformation … they’ve got so much potential and they’re just going to keep going,” Blues coach Bree Jenkins said.

“They just play a really nice style of netball. There’s not too many errors and turnovers, footwork is amazing and passing is just outstanding for the girls.”