Nagambie had the challenge set before them in the grand final — beat the undefeated Violet Town. And they nearly pulled it off.
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The Lakers stood in the way of a fairytale ending for Violet Town at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday.
But a nail-biting finish to the game saw Violet Town claim an eight-point win.
Violet Town coach Jeff Smyth described the win as a reward for effort.
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Classic form: Violet Town’s Charlie Hall gets the ball forward. Photo by Megan FisherImage 2 of 9
Soccer skill: Nagambie’s Charlie Kelly kicks the ball off the ground. Photo by Megan FisherImage 3 of 9
Up and about: Wil Smyth celebrates his goal. Photo by Megan FisherImage 4 of 9
Dangerous territory: Nagambie’s Darby Obrien runs into a pack of Violet Town players. Photo by Megan FisherImage 5 of 9
Caught: Violet Town’s Sam Cox attempts a tackle. Photo by Megan FisherImage 6 of 9
Cheer squad: The Violet Town crowd in full force. Photo by Megan FisherImage 7 of 9
Spoiled: Violet Town’s James Hansen punches the ball. Photo by Megan FisherImage 8 of 9
Hands up if you just won a premiership: Violet Town under-18s players celebrate their grand final triumph.Image 9 of 9
Top of his game: Violet Town players hug teammate Tyler Green, who was named best-on-ground in the final.“It’s unbelievable,” Smyth said.
“Who would have thought? We didn’t have a team this time last year.
“Some of the boys have been training since November, and they well deserved the win.
“I think they brought it to us today, though, Nagambie.
“(Tyler Green) is unbelievable every week.
“We play him in the middle, then if we rest him down forward, he doesn’t really rest.
“There will be (big celebrations in Violet Town). We’ll head back to the clubhouse and have a barbecue and celebrate.”
Violet Town kicked the game’s first two goals before Nagambie turned the contest on its head in a few minutes as the side scored the next three goals.
Violet Town’s response was instant as Wil Smyth kicked a goal and Sam Cox slotted the next a few moments later.
The Lakers kicked the first goal of the second quarter within a minute.
Both sides’ number sixes made the difference 10 minutes into the quarter as Nagambie’s Darby Obrien put his side in front, but Towners’ Montell Macfarlane responded immediately.
The tide turned in Nagambie’s favour as the side kicked two goals to end the first half 11 points up.
The premiership quarter was a back-and-forward affair in midfield but Violet Town dragged the deficit back to four points.
THE GAME
Violet Town 4.1, 5.3, 7.5, 10.7 (67)
Nagambie 3.1, 7.2, 8.3, 9.5 (59)
GOALS
Violet Town: M. Macfarlane, T. Green, W. Smyth, S. Cox, S. Leigh
Nagambie: F. Obrien, D. Obrien, B. Ezard, O. Loweke, Z. Kilroy
BEST
Violet Town: S. Leigh, S. Cox, C. Thompson, T. McCabe, F. Weeks, N. Butler
Nagambie: D. Obrien, F. Obrien, R. Coll, Z. Kilroy, L. Old, O. Loweke
Nagambie looked like it would hold on despite forward pressure from Violet Town in the final term but Sam Leigh broke the deadlock with a goal.
A goal from Macfarlane sent the Violent Town supporters, who had made the cricket pavilion their fortress, into raptures.
Not ready to give up, Nagambie players applied pressure and landed a tackle inside 50, and Flynn Obrien kicked the goal to have the game within three points.
But Violet Town landed a game-winning tackle to kill the charge in the dying stages, and as they kicked a goal after the siren, supporters were already streaming on to the field.
The Towners clinched the premiership and capped off a perfect season, 10.7 (67) to 9.5 (59).
The umpires awarded the best-on medal to midfielder Tyler Green.