By Tara Murray
Rupertswood won the midfield battle and with it the Riddell District Football League under-19.5 premiership on Sunday.
Showing the dominance of the Sharks and Wallan the last two seasons, it was a repeat of last year’s grand final. This time the Sharks were able to turn the tables.
Facing each other for the third time in five weeks, it was the Sharks who gained the early ascendency.
Once they hit the front they stayed there, winning 11.8 (74)-2.8 (20).
Sharks coach Bruce Sutton said there was more relief than anything else when the siren went.
“I’m just happy for the boys and all of the hard work that they’ve put in, they’ve got the result and just happy for them,” he said.
“We were lucky enough to start to peak and play good footy at the right time of the year.”
The Sharks set themselves for a strong start to make the Magpies do the chasing and then keep the pressure on.
They did exactly that.
With the two teams knowing each other well, Sutton said there was one clear area that seemed to be the difference in the games.
It proved to be the case this time round.
“When we always play Wallan it’s the battle of the midfields and if you look at the results it’s the side that has won the midfield that has won the game.
“Today was a battle of the midfield and were lucky enough to come out on top and win the game.”
While focused on winning the midfield, the Sharks knew that composure would also be important.
Sutton said they had been able to hold their nerve and ensure their was no Wallan come back.
Jake Sutton, who was joint winner of the league under-19.5 best and fairest award, kicked five goals.
Sutton was awarded the Victorian Country Football League medal, while Matt Jenkins won the Noel Rainey Medal for the best two players on the ground.
Sutton said both boys played really well and deserved the medals.
“Matt was really determined this whole finals series,” Sutton said.
“He’s a player who got to play a couple of senior games and was sort of hurt he didn’t get more, so he really lifted his game and had a bit of a point to prove.
“Jake had a really consistent season and it was a continuation of that. He played the first nine or 10 under 18 games and then finished the season in the seniors.
Jake Sutton and Luke Sultana were handy inclusions for the grand final, having been in the senior team in the other finals.
Overall, seven or eight players from the premiership side played senior football which will hold the club in good stead for the future.
The premiership was Sutton’s first as coach having been assistant in the three other premierships.
For most of the playing group is was their first premiership at this level.
For Daniel Webster it is his third having been involved in the last four grand finals.
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