Seniior Colts
Glencoe 11.4 def Nangwarry 6.6
It was a great day for the Glencoe Senior Colts as they defeated Nangwarry by 26 points in the second game of grand final day.
The young Murphies were carrying the hopes of the whole footy club on their shoulders and they had been looking to end a nine-year absence from the victor’s podium.
They took home the Stevens Memorial Shield for the fifth time.
Several of the team had won a premiership medal a year earlier in Junior Colts.
The Saints were the sentimental favourites as they had risen from fourth place and had not won a flag in this grade since 1998.
Both grand final combatants had accounted for minor premiers Mount Burr during the major round.
Although Glencoe outscored Nangwarry in all four quarters, the match was closer than the scores would suggest.
It was not until late in the final term the Murphies were assured of victory.
There was plenty of skilful footy on show.
As is often said with grand finals, goals in the opening term are like diamonds and the Murphies had three of these.
They led by 13 points at the first change and were never headed thereafter.
As his 53 minor round goals would suggest, the victors looked again for spearhead Brodie Pfitzner and he did not disappoint with a five-goal haul.
At the other end of the oval, Saints vice captain Elwood Geary was the standout with three of his team’s six goals.
The premiership medallions were given out by Mid SE junior committee president Kevin Dinnison and then the grand final winners did a lap of honour.
Nangwarry joint captain Bay McKinnon won the Allan Jenkin Memorial Trophy as best on ground and it was wisely chosen by field umpires Nick McBride, Chris Brooks and Adam Maidment.
Junior Colts
Hatherleigh 8.8 def. Port MacDonnell 0.2
Hatherleigh Junior Colts completed a fine season when they triumphed over Port MacDonnell by 54 points in the opening game of grand final day.
The result was not unexpected as the victors were the minor premiers and had the measure of their opponent in their previous meeting in the second semi.
The Demons had given themselves every chance of victory as they had won the preliminary final at Kalangadoo over the home team.
Many of the seaside team had played in the 2023 grand final when they were beaten by Glencoe.
After a torrid opening term when neither side scored a goal, the first six-pointer of the contest was booted by Hatherleigh vice captain Tommy Atkinson at the five minute mark of the second term.
This was the cue to start the dominance of the contest by the Eagles.
No matter how hard they tried, the youngest of the Demons could not quite match the greater size and skill of the Eagles.
After receiving the AG Medhurst Memorial Shield and premiership medallions from Mid SE junior committee president Kevin Dinnison, the grand final winners did a lap of honour.
Hatherleigh’s vice captain Tommy Atkinson had an extra item to carry as he won the John Seebohm Medal as best on ground.
This decision was correct as were many others made by field umpires Dave Hurley and Nathan Chapple.
It was the perfect day for first-year coach Dr Sean McGrath.
It was the 19th flag won in the junior colts’ competition by Hatherleigh and its first since the COVID-impacted season of 2020.