2024 u15 div3 Premiers
Grand Final V Salisbury North from Michael Zillante
The big day!
Bright sunshine greeted us at Thebarton Oval which looked a treat.
Nerves were a plenty, but we knew what we needed to do to beat Salisbury North, so the pre-game address was simple - Know your role!
We began ok but were under siege early as Salisbury North had a number of inside 50 entries. However, our backline held strong with Rylen, Archer (with a terrific goal saving smother) & The General leading the way with some strong work on the last line of defense. Mase & Josh were intercepting everything at half back along with Ammo who intercepted an errant hawks kick in the centre of the ground and followed it up with a long kick inside 50 which he put in front of Max who ran onto it nicely and opened the scoring with the first goal of the game. We continued to defend well as Salisbury North struggled to hit the scoreboard, managing only a couple of behinds for the quarter. We moved the ball quickly from half back and had the hawks defense under siege with their coaching staff starting to panic as they looked to put their best players behind the ball to counteract the quick ball movement into our forward line. Jonah in the tagging role he was sharing with Dyclan had an immediate impact when he came onto the ground, laying a bone crunching tackle at half forward which resulted in a holding the ball decision and another forward 50 opportunity which nearly saw us kick our second goal for the quarter. We kept the ball inside our forward 50 for the majority of the last half of the quarter with our persistence rewarded as Lachie kicked our second goal inside the last minute. It was the tough, hard encounter we expected, and we went into the quarter time break with a 2-goal lead, keeping the hawks goalless for the quarter.
A great start!
Quarter Time – Hope Valley 2.2 (14) Salisbury North 0.2 (2)
The second quarter was a battle of the defenses as the ball bounced back and forth between the two half back lines. Scoring was difficult as both sides defended well. Our midfield started to get on top with Rogz, Kobe and Jakob finding plenty of the footy. Salisbury North kicked their first goal of the game at the 8-minute mark, with the quarter being a tight tussle after this as only 4 behinds were scored for the remainder. We had our chances to hit the scoreboard but overused handball at times inside 50 which saw us add just 3 behinds. Dylcan in his tagging role was doing an outstanding job on his opponent, finding plenty of the footy himself. Lachie’s run and carry was a highlight with Salisbury North struggling to counteract his speed. Harry was proving a good foil up forward with some excellent work both on the ground and in the air resulting in a number of score assists. Ammo continued his good game, finding plenty of the footy and the backline continued to hold strong. We went into the half time break with an 8-point lead
Half Time – Hope Valley 2.5 (17) Salisbury North 1.3 (9)
The half time address focused on the importance of the premiership quarter and the boys played a premiership quarter to remember. Salisbury North had the first inside 50 for the quarter, but a brilliant Rylen spoil followed by a free kick to Thomas who put his head over the ball to win a crucial 50/50 contest saw us move the ball quickly from half back to our forward 50. Enter Brodie with a brilliant crumb and goal as we got out to 14-point lead in the first minute of the quarter. Some brilliant defensive pressure inside our forward 50 saw us add another goal with Lachie on the end of some brilliant work from Owen & Max. The lead out to 20 points. Salisbury North pegged one back, albeit in controversial circumstances as the ball appeared to hit the post. The margin back to 14 points. We notched up our 5th goal not long after yet another attack which started from the back half with Mase taking a brilliant intercept mark, kicking it to Lachie who ran through the middle and put it inside 50 to Owen who handballed it into the path of Squeak who finished off a really nice piece of play. Lead out to 21. We put through our 6th goal a minute later with some brilliant clearance work from Dane which found Owen who earnt a free kick although the advantage was paid with Max pouncing on the footy and running into an open goal and give us a 27-point lead which we took into the ¾ time break. We had winners all over the ground with Squeak whose arm was in a cast up until the Thursday prior playing his negating role on their number 4 well and finding plenty of the footy himself, Fuss was making the most of his opportunities with some nice clean takes and gives below his knees, the midfield Rogz, Kobe, Thomas, Ammo, Jakob & Mase were outstanding both using the ball well and winning the 50/50 ground balls. Ronan & Dane played their usual reliable roles and exploited the Salisbury North big men’s lack of fitness as they dominated both on the ground and in the air.
Three Quarter Time – Hope Valley 6.6 (42) Salisbury North 2.3 (15)
We knew Salisbury North would have a crack and that they did, kicking a goal within 10 seconds to close the gap to 21 points. 3 minutes later they added another one, our lead just 15 points. From there we settled a bit better as like the 2nd semi a fortnight ago both sides applied relentless pressure and scoring dried up. A few late Salisbury North opportunities were excellently repelled by our defense with General, Cameron & Rylen leading the way. Tired legs kicked in and both sides threw what they could at each other, but the damage had been done and we were simply too good as we have been all season running out deserved premiers after a near perfect season.
Rylen had an exceptional game, keeping their gun forward very quiet who had no impact on the game after playing his grand final on Instagram during the week. Owen presented well all day, competing in the air and bringing the ball to the ground well. He was pivotal when moved behind the ball in the last quarter and was one of our best throughout the season. Dyclan, Jonah & Squeak were given tough assignments on a couple of good players and were outstanding in their tagging roles. Arguably Dyclan & Jonah’s best games of the season. Squeaks character and toughness to play 2 weeks after breaking his arm is without question, Lachie’s run, carry and pace was a highlight which caught the eye of the umpires who awarded him the best player award. The intercept marking of Archer, Mase, Josh & Ammo and their run and carry was a feature of both the grand final and throughout the season. All 4 of them had outstanding games and seasons. Mase showed tremendous character to come back on the ground in the final quarter after an ankle injury. The General was rock solid down back playing a selfless game, repelling a number of Salisbury North attacks. Our rucks Ronan & Dane dominated as they have done all year not only in the air but around the ground as well. Their work rate is second to none and their ability to run their opponents into the ground is as good as there is. The jury’s out on who the best player in the Mills household was but both Jakob & Thomas had outstanding games. Their attack on the footy, clean hands and clearance work has improved throughout the season and was a feature in the grand final. Kobe was another who saved his best game for the grand final. He has really improved his kicking depth and ability to cover the ground which was a feature of his game. Cameron made the most of his opportunities playing his usual nullifying game sticking to his opponent like glue and having no impact. Fuss was another who made the most of his opportunity with his below knees and clean hands a feature in the premiership quarter with a nice score assist. Max was gutsy, playing through injury, his speed and finishing a highlight of the grand final and his work on the wing outstanding throughout the season. Harry presented well up forward bringing the ball to ground. His groundwork was good and he picked up a couple of scoring assists using his size and strength to advantage. Brodie responded after quarter time and his game was hard to fault. His crumb and goal to start off the third quarter opened the flood gates. His work in the air and on the ground was as good as anyone on the ground. Last but not least, our skipper Rogz whose leadership not only with his voice but with his actions is personified. He really lifted and led by example late in the final quarter when the game was on the line and won plenty of the ball himself throughout the day.
Full Time Hope Valley 6.7 (43) Salisbury North 4.7 (31)
Goalkickers – Lachie 2, Max 2, Brodie 1, Squeak 1
Take Aways from the Game
The Good
- Everything!
What we can improve
- Nothing! We are premiers!
Congratulations on an outstanding season. Premierships aren’t easy to win and to turn up week in week and perform like we did speaks to the character of this group. Thank you to all our parents and volunteers who assisted throughout the season. Enjoy it everybody and see you in 3 months for the start of preseason!!!
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