General News
24 August, 2022
Terang Mortlake U14 Bloods win premiership
THE U14 Bloods are the toast of Terang and Mortlake after tasting premiership victory over the weekend.
THE U14 Bloods are the toast of Terang and Mortlake after tasting premiership victory over the weekend.
The team took centre stage at Reid Oval against the undefeated Hamilton Kangaroos.
The Bloods had finished second on the ladder with 13 wins to two losses, with both losses for the year coming against Hamilton in an 11.13.79 to 1.1.7 drubbing in round five and a round 14 loss 3.5.23 to 8.4.52.
But the young Bloods ripped through the banner on grand final day with energy showing the side knew what was at stake.
The Bloods wasted little time showing their prowess early, racing out to a 4.1.25 to 1.0.6 first quarter lead.
“We had to get that fast start because we’d beaten them two weeks prior (Finals round two: 5.5.35 to 6.4.40) and knew getting the scoreboard pressure on was pivotal in winning the game,” co-coach Lachie Barr said.
“Chasing in a grand final is always harder than being out in front so we wanted them taking more risks in the second half.
“Our pressure was really good.”
Hamilton made a valiant stand in the second quarter, holding the Bloods from extending the lead as the teams went in to the half with the Bloods up 6.1.37 to 3.1.19.
But according to co-coach Sam Heffernan, it was the dying stages of the second quarter which set the Bloods up for the second half of the game.
“The biggest turning point of the game was just before half time,” Heffernan said.
“Jobe Baker stopped a goal within the goal square and the boys went down for Josh Slater to kick a goal after the half time siren.
“That would have hurt Hamilton going in to the huddle, while we had an uplifting half time huddle.
“Slater’s goal was against the wind, and against the momentum of play.”
The momentum shift held strong as the Bloods let it fly in the second half, putting the game beyond doubt with a 37-point lead at the end of the third before claiming a strong victory 11.5.71 to 5.2.32.
Barr said he was thrilled to see the sense of accomplishment the Bloods had earned.
“It was amazing to see all the kids’ hard work come to fruition,” he said.
“We worked really hard, got beaten by Hamilton during the year both times, but from that point the kids worked hard to hone their skills on the ball.
“It was a fine day, so the boys got to use those skills and it worked out really well.”
Heffernan said the victory could be summarised in a single word; proud.
“I was so excited for the boys,” he said.
“We wanted them to be brave, take the game on, spread, run and to just have fun.
“Kicking a couple of goals early really settled the nerves, and got the supporters up and going, which the players thrived on.”
Best players on the day were Joshua Slater, Jack Richie, Max Heffernan, Charlie Kenna, Samuel Wareham and Kane Killen.
Slater slotted home four majors to lead the scoring efforts, followed by Kenna with three.
Terang Mortlake Football Netball Club president Matt Clarke said the U14 Bloods had been “a class act on the day and have been all year”.
“It’s really thrilling for both communities involved in the footy club and everyone around,” he said.
“It was a proud moment for everyone involved with the club.”
Clarke said he had seen local businesses putting up streamers and signs of support for the players ahead of the grand final but was not shocked to see the people of Terang and Mortlake rallying around their own.
“It was a tremendous show of support and obvious on the day too, even with our open netballers and senior footballers turning out to support the boys and bring out the water,” he said.
“Right across the community, from the footy club to everyone, it really shows what footy and netball clubs mean to small communities like ours.”
Clarke said the future of the club was looking bright.
“Even in our senior win, we had a lot of young guys in that side,” he said.
“You think of the future of our club, and what is coming out of the junior grade, the talent is immense so it’s really promising for what the future holds.”