Rupertswood’s dominance of the under-18.5 Riddell District Football League competition has continued with the club winning its second successive flag.
The grand final win means the team has two premierships and a one point grand final loss in its three years in the competition.
On Sunday, they came up against a side who proved to be one of the most improved sides in the competition, Woodend-Hesket.
Last season the Hawks finished 10th on the ladder with four wins, compared to 11 wins and second spot on the ladder this year.
Despite the massive improvement they couldn’t match it with the Sharks in the grand final, losing 25.13 (163) – 11.6 (72).
It was the Hawks who started the game the better of two sides kicking the first three goals of the game.
The Sharks then got into the game and took control of the game midway through the second quarter and led by 51 points at the main break.
After the main break the Sharks really got going kicking 12 goals to six to seal the win.
One of the side’s coaches Mark Scanlon said the win was effort for all the hard work the boys put in during the year.
“They work harder than the senior boys at training,” he said after the game.
“The boys are committed footballers and we are so proud of them all.”
Scanlon said the boys were prepared for the Hawks to start the game well.
“I think after the other final we played against them we knew they would come out really well.
“We expected a good contest and got that.
“I thought half way through the second term we really stepped up.”
Bailee Revell, who kicked eight goals, won the Noel Rainey for best on ground.
“Twenty two guys contributed and it was a good team game,” Scanlon said,
“It absolutely meant a lot to the boys to go through undefeated after last year losing that one game in the finals.”
Scanlon said the win wasn’t just for the 22 who took to the field.
“Five boys missed out through a weight of numbers. They played the game for those boys as well.
“About 10-12 of them have gone back-to-back.
“It’s a good bunch of young boys and we want them to stay at the club and climb through the ranks.”
For the Hawks, Jaidyn Owen kicked five goals while Michael Crozier was named his side’s best player in the loss.
