HAMILTON Kangaroos' ability to fast-track the development of its bottom-age players has it within one win of an under 16 football premiership.
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The Bernie Porter-coached Roos will play South Warrnambool in the Hampden league grand final at Port Fairy's Gardens Oval on Saturday.
Porter said he was proud of how the team had meshed.
"We are not leaving the load on the seven or eight top-agers who are there. Everyone fits in and does their job."
Porter said Kangaroos co-captains Deacon White and Lachie Rees had lived up to their titles.
"Deacon has really led from the front and been enormous for us," he said.
"Lachie missed eight or so weeks with a knee injury. It was against South in the first five minutes.
"He copped a bump on it, came off and went back on and then twisted the same knee and that was the end of him for a while. He's only been back the last two games and he hasn't missed a beat."
Hamilton Kangaroos and South Warrnambool had a close match in the home-and-away.
Porter is expecting a similar contest in the decider.
"We only played once and got over the line by two or three points," he said.
"We took that win but we'd rather this one."
Koroit will meet South Warrnambool in the under 14 football grand final.
Koroit junior president Clinton Perry said the club was rapt with the players' endeavour during a season littered with COVID-19 lockdowns.
"We're just pretty proud of their effort really," he said.
"It's just a sign that our junior development programs are working, that we've got some good coaches throughout the junior club.
"It's been good for a few of those boys too who have stepped up and played some good under 16 football during the year."
South Warrnambool also features in both netball grand finals.
The Roosters will play Cobden in the 15 and under reserves and Koroit in the 13 and under reserves.
Cobden coach Kim Robertson said the Bombers were eager to play on the big stage.
"They are very hyped and ready for the experience which is really nice, especially with the year we've had, it's just been so up and down," she said.
"We didn't think we were even going to have finals a few weeks back and now we're in a grand final."
Robertson said she had rotated nine players throughout the side all season, meaning they were used to playing three of a possible four quarters.
"Not one of them has complained. They get on with it because they just want to be there," she said.
"I am just really proud, they've been an eager side all year, they train beautifully, they don't miss a beat."
Koroit coach Kate Foster said her 13 and under reserves team had "strong players in each third".
"For them to have a successful season and come together as a team, I am very proud of them," she said.
"I coached some of these kids since Netta, so they came to the club four or five years ago.
"I know them pretty well and they are just excited to be playing in a grand final."
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