On a cracking day for sport, the Coleambally Blues under-18s side fought back from a slow, slippery start to earn a spot in the Farrer League grand final.
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Against the Northern Jets, the league’s minor premiers, the Blues won by 11 points.
The Blues started a little slower than their more fancied opponents, with Ashton Harris bagging three goals in the first 10 minutes before Coly settled via Alex Pound.
Goals to Johnny Star and Damon Pound allowed Coly to a one point lead at quarter time.
The game was a seesawing battle with scoring busy for both teams throughout the middle of the contest, but Coly kicked straighter than the Jets to take a 15 point lead at three quarter time.
The loss of the drive around the ground from Damon Pound was telling as the Jets midfield started to gain regular clearances to close to be within seven points.
Dallas Hickey then broke the game open with an inspired bouncing run from full back, with Alex Pound showing his class to kick two late goals.
Finals score: Coleambally 14.8 (92) def Northern Jets 12.9 (81).
Goals: Alex Pound 6, John Star 3, Damon Pound 2, Archer Gill, Alex Harvey, Harvey Pound.
Best: Alex Pound, Dallas Hickey, John Star, Ben Clark, Archer Gill, Lachlan Wells and Damon Pound.
This Saturday’s grand final starts at 9.30am sharp at Robertson Oval in Wagga, against North Wagga.
Under-18s player profiles:
John Star #1 - (Age:18) Position: Onballer. Hard in and under player who never stops running and tackling. His leadership will be invaluable on Saturday.
Alex Pound #2 - (Age:16) Position: Forward. Quick, elusive onballer who trains and plays hard. Runs all over the ground and has sensational skills. A brilliant player to watch anywhere on the field.
Damon Pound #3 - (Age:16) Position: Onballer. Hard in and under player who has the ability to run all day. Great overhead mark who is a delight to watch from the sidelines.
Harvey Pound #4 - (Age:15) Position: Forward. A tackling machine who can keep his feet. A crowd favourite who will lift his game to another level.
Archer Gill #5 - (Age:16) Position: Onballer/Back Flank. Highly rated tough player who tackles his heart out. Has improved his attacking flair all season. Travels 800km round trip to play.
Curtis Reedman #6 - (Age:16) Position: Forward Flank. Has improved his all round play this year and tackles his heart out. Missed last week and will chomping at the three parmis on offer.
Ben Clark #7 - (Age:18) Position: Centre/Forward. A crafty rover who has beautiful skills. Loves a bounce and will sneak a couple of goals come Saturday.
Angus Gunn #8 - (Age:16) Position: Ruck/Backline. Has come up from U16s and is a tough as nails emergency ready to play.
Dallas Hickey #9 - (Age:18) Position: Back Flank. Hard running back flanker who provides plenty of carry and drive. A game breaker with his speed and poise.
Nathan Vearing #10 - (Age:17) Position: Full Back. Captain courageous with plenty of voice from the back. Tough as nails competitor.
Jai Wilson #11 - (Age:17) Position: Ruck/Backline. Ruck convert with his leap. Instils pressure in the middle and can float forward and kick truly.
Logan Pound #13 - (Age:15) Position: Backline. Plays across half back and uses his strength to beat his opponents. Can read the play very well and poised under pressure.
Riley Perkins #14 - (Age:17) Position: Swingman. Wears his heart on his sleeve and attacks every contest with an eye for the footy. Loves pulling on the club jumper and will give his all come Saturday.
Lachy Wells #15 - (Age:18) Position: Backline. Bee lines the footy and gets it moving forward. One of the best in the prelim with his hard and tough attitude.
Marcus Star #16 - (Age:15) Position: Forward/Wing. Dashing forward flanker/pocket player who provides plenty of drive from a raking left foot. Can do a run with role from his defensive mindset.
Andy Fattore #18 - (Age:16) Position: Forward. A strong physical presence who can take a strong pack mark and be a link up player across the ground.
Angus Graham #20 - (Age:18) Position: Backline/Swingman. Can play either end of the ground. Tough and physically present in every contest. Looking to shine on Saturday.
Jay Longford #22 - (Age:18) Position: Forward Pocket. Goal sneak who can kick a long goal. Brings his teammates into the play a lot through his physical presence.
Fergus Steers #23 - (Age:15) Position: Forward. A raking left foot with a beautiful kick for goals. Needs to be strong in the hands this Saturday.
Joel Mahy #26 - (Age:18) Position: Backman. A consistent year of playing back to back games has improved his overall play. Needs to continue to attack the footy come Saturday.
Alex Harvey #29 - (Age:18) Position: Full Forward/Onballer. Strongest 18 year old known to man. A wrecking machine around the contests and a strong pack mark.
Darcy Mader (First year coach) Has brought different drills and tactics to the team from his hard work on and off the training track. A very well respected player in the league from his hard work at nurturing talent.
Tony Pound (assistant coach) - A well respected voice around the players. A great tactician of the game from 350 games himself.
Carl Chirgwin (team manager) - Loves to travel and encourages junior players to thrive in all Coleambally sports.
Glen Tooth (trainer) - ‘Mr Fix It’ can wrap, strap and somehow make bodies behave game in and game out. Legendary status around the lads.