The game’s historic finish was placed in context of a very successful day for the Berrigan club and town.
A total of more than $30,000 came through the gate for grand final day at Berrigan Sportsground on Saturday.
Rachael Arnold, WA of the C grade Saints, played a fierce game and was able to use the home crowd cheers to spur the team to victory.
‘‘It’s something I’ve always wanted to do (play in front of the home town); the support from all the locals really helped us get the win,’’ Mrs Arnold said.
‘‘It simply can’t compare to any away game.
‘‘Deep in the second quarter we started slipping and stopped playing how we have all season.
‘‘It got a lot more intense but it really made a big difference with the crowd picking us up when our heads were down.’’
Late in the fourth quarter the crowd started buzzing and the cheers were getting louder but that didn’t stop the C Grade Saints from staying focused.
‘‘It was really overwhelming but we contained ourselves,’’ Mrs Arnold said.
‘‘When the buzzer sounded I had this wave of emotion.’’
The team brought together both sides of the club as some football club members joined them in the historic win.
‘‘Knowing that we had just broken a premiership drought of over 34 years for the club made it so special,’’ Mrs Arnold said.
‘‘And to share that with those who supported us, both the club and the town, made it even more so.’’
