BENALLA Giants had to withstand a stunning fight back from Myrtleford in order to lift the premiership cup after Saturday’s Wangaratta and District Junior Football League under 14 grand final.
With the likes of Aidan Turner, Josh Hyland and Josh Milner firing, the Giants got off to a flying start to lead the Saints by 17 points at quarter time.
Rhys Goodley, Adam Walsh and Rory Wapling were all impressive as the Benalla side extended its lead in the second term to head into the rooms at halftime with a 26-point buffer.
But the Saints showed why they deserved to be in the grand final with a scintillating third quarter.
Will Quirk and Mitch Botter were superb, along with Josh Muraca, Declan Bren, Ryan Nielsen and Ryley Bouker, as Myrtleford piled on six goals to two to snare the lead by one point at three quarter time.
With the game on the line the Giants lifted in the last and came home all over the Saints with six unanswered goals to win 15.10 (100) to 8.13 (61).
Benalla assistant coach Brian Walsh said the performance of key forward Rhys Goodley, who finished with six goals and the best on ground medal, helped lift the side to victory.
“It was a very even team performance, and that’s the way it’s been for us all year,” Walsh said.
“We don’t have the standout players that a lot of other sides do, but we have a very even spread.
“But Rhys Goodley’s last quarter was pretty special – his overhead marking was probably the difference.
“(Coach) Dean (Eastern) gave the boys a stern talk at three quarter time when we were down by a point, just about the fact that it was the grand final and they needed to step up, and for them to respond the way they did was sensational.”
Walsh paid credit to Myrtleford, who he said played a great game.
“I was very worried at three quarter time, because the way Myrtleford played in the third quarter it looked like it was going to be very tough to win,” he said.
“They are a young side but they have some outstanding players – Will Quirk and Mitch Botter really lifted for them after halftime and they were hard to stop.
“They hit us with everything they had.”
Walsh said the premiership was a just reward for a side that had developed well over the course of the season.
“Those few minutes after the final siren were magic – those are memories these boys will carry forever – just the sheer excitement of it all,” he said.
“A lot of good judges were saying it would be a long year for us back at the start of the season.
“We had a lot of bottom age players coming in and it is hard to know how they are going to fit in.
“A kid like Josh Milner – at the start we didn’t know what sort of role he would play, but he slotted in at full back and has been one of our best.
“David Button off halfback and Rory Wapling have played some terrific footy – those boys will be back in under 14s next year and give us a really solid core.”
16th September, 2015.
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Last Modified on 28/09/2015 12:49