A whole-team defensive approach proved a winning formula for Hampden White at the South West Junior Carnival on Sunday.
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The Stephen Gurry-coached team’s stingy defence was the catalyst for its under 16 title at the round-robin competition in Hamilton.
Hampden White capped off its carnival with a 7.5 (47) to 0.0 grand final triumph over Hamilton.
“It was team first, that’s how the boys played,” Gurry said.
“I think we coughed up 13 points in five games, so it was a good defensive effort.”
Gurry said Hampden White’s structure helped it limit its opponents’ attacking moves throughout the competition.
“Jett Bermingham, Clem Nagorcka and Saul Giblin were good through the midfield, so we had a lot of drive, and our forward line finished the work,” he said.
“We’d give off when we need to and defend when we needed to. Our skill level was exceptional today.”
Koroit-listed Nagorcka, who highlighted Bermingham and forward Willem O’Sullivan, praised Hampden White’s defence.
“Our back line held up well and linked up together and used the mids as well,” he said. “We stuck together all day and were consistent in all games really.”
Hampden Green won a goalless grand final against Hampden White in the under 14 competition.
Winning coach Ken Radley said he was proud of his team’s ability to hold on in the 0.3 (3) to 0.2 (2) nail-biter.
“The boys were absolutely fantastic,” he said.
“They dropped the first game against Hampden White but they always knew if they played their best footy they would win.
“It’s a cliche but all 22 players for us wanted to represent the Hampden league and themselves. They want to stick together and play rep footy as they grow up.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the kids. They’re a beautiful bunch to coach.”
Radley said different players contributed across Hampden Green’s five games, which were played in dry and wet conditions, emphasising “team effort wins finals on days like this”.
“Tully Darcy from Cobden gave away height but rucked all day and beat his opposition,” he said.
“George Stevens is an impressive young man and footballer and Will White and Harry Keast played well.”
South Warrnambool-aligned Stevens, who praised White, Keast and Curren O’Donnell for their efforts, said the low-scoring final was a war of attrition.
“It was very scrappy. It was ‘bang it forward as far as you can and try and score a goal’ which none of us could do,” he said.
Warrnambool and District won the under 12 title.