Murrabit coach Nathan Henry etched his name into folklore with the winning goal as his Blues claimed the Golden Rivers premiership in dramatic fashion against Ultima.
Down by a point with little time left, Henry coolly slotted the goal after great work by Ted Hunt Medalist Bryden Morison set up Simon Morton to find his coach.
In front of a large crowd at the Murrabit Recreation Reserve, it was Ultima who settled best in the infancy of the match.
Kyle Brasser scored the first goal after a strong tackle on Morison was rewarded. With Tom Bull prominent, his work allowed Basil Althouse to score. Murrabit had sufficient time with the ball but were unable to score a goal, four behinds their only reward for the opening quarter.
Murrabit were able to open their goal scoring account through Nathan Brown and when an awful turnover by the Ultima backline was punished by Henry, the Blues found themselves in front.
This lead was extended with an excellent set shot from Leigh McCombe.
Brenton Pay found himself sent off after a cheap shot on Luke Nyko had players from all directions converging for a dust up. The pressure even got to the trainers, with Murrabit’s Bill Harvey pulling a hammy to treat Nyko.
Henry goaled again close to the half time siren as Murrabit claimed control of the match, keeping the Roos scoreless in the quarter.
Jack O’Rourke was calm in his half time address, ordering his players to lift.
However, it was Andrew Spitty who put the Blues further ahead with a scrambled goal.
The game became a rolling maul, with very few chances allowed to both sides to use the expanses of the Murrabit ground with free flowing football.
Dwayne Hamlyn kept Ultima within striking distance with a strong mark and goal and when Ryan Devereux helped himself to two goals, it was game on again with Ultima trailing by just three points at the final change.
Josh Dwyer laid the platform for a another Henry goal, kicking the ball from midfield then following on to move the ball forward.
Poor discipline allowed O’Rourke a downfield goal for the Roos and it was within a kick again.
Hamlyn capped of a spectacular run and finish to put Ultima in front. But Bryden Morison stamped himself on the game with brilliant work to allow Dain Hayes a goal.
Hamlyn was sent off with a clip on Brown which hampered the Roos run.
Hamlyn was an influential player up to that point and his absence gave Morison and Morton the opportunity to Henry to seal the match.
His long bomb put the Blues back in front with very little time left.
The siren sounded with Ultima about to send the ball forward.
Bryden Morison capped his stellar year with best on ground honours. Coach Henry led from the front with a dominant forward display. Dylan Morison was strong across half back and Nathan Brown was excellent all day through the midfield.
The Roos were best served by Ryan Devereux with three goals.
Benedict Mahon and Luke O’Toole gave their all as well as Nathan Condely down back. However it was in vain as Murrabit broke a drought extending nine years to claim the flag.
