“Wins don’t come any better than that.”
That was the reaction of elated Woorinen reserves captain Kyle Steicke after his team’s thrilling two-point win over Kerang in wet conditions at Swan Hill on Saturday.
In a brutal contest that would be the entree of things to come in the seniors, the rain and strong wind turned the match into a contested scrap with neither side able to find space or efficiently move the football.
But in the end the Tigers’ bigger bodies made the slight difference between elation and devastation, as Woorinen defeated a gallant Kerang 5.11.41 to 5.9.39
“The weather did suit our game,” Steicke said.
“We tackled well but just as importantly chased well without the ball, which was very pleasing.”
Timothy Gammon was awarded best on ground, but the honour could have been given to several of Steicke’s troops, with Elijah Miliado, Jordy Mcinnes, Austin Mckerrow and Tahj Bolton all putting in superb performances.
“We said at the start of the day that we needed the whole 22 to make an impact, and that’s exactly what happened – we had 22 blokes who fought their hearts out,” Steicke said.
“But I agreed with the voters – Gammo (Tim Gammon) was incredible – definitely my best on ground as well.”
The Blues also had contenders for best afield, with Jotham Giggs and Cody Tuohey putting in great performances in their heartbreaking loss.
In an enthralling final quarter, the Tigers, who had a seven-point buffer and the assistance of a ferocious wind, would have been forgiven if they believed they had one hand on the trophy.
But the Blues wouldn’t give in and ended up winning the quarter.
An early goal brought the margin back to two points before Jason Iannucci missed a relatively straightforward set shot to keep the Blues in the contest.
Midway through the term, a desperate smother by Tigers star Joseph Kelly in the middle of the ground stopped a Blues foray in an inspirational moment for his club.
The Blues would have multiple chances heading forward after that, but the Tigers’ defence held out with desperate acts from Jake Schmidt saving the day late in the term.
The ball lived in the Tigers’ end for the final five minutes as they ran out the game professionally with the final siren crowing them champions in front of their parochial supporters.
“Wins don’t come any better than that,” Steicke said. “They took it up to us the whole way, and it got down to the last minute.
“I’m just so relieved we got away with the win.”
The Blues kicked with the strong wind in the first quarter and with Jonah McKnight kicking a goal and looking the most dangerous forward on the ground, they took a nine-point lead into the first change.
The Tigers hit back in the second term, dominating possession with the wind to kick 2.6.18 to 0.1.1 for the quarter.
Woorinen could have led by more, but they struck the behind post twice, including a sitter from the usually reliable Zac Cordwell.
The Tigers then held firm against the strong breeze in the third term, with their desire around the contests bordering on savage.
“It was funny in the second half – I think both sides scored more against the wind,” Steicke said. “But it just shows how hard we worked and wanted it in that third term, and that just makes me so proud of these boys.”
Kelly kicked the first of the third term to give the Tigers the biggest lead of the match.
But then the ever calm Steicke made a couple of errors by foot to let the Blues back in. He gave the ball straight back to the Blues from a kick-out, and both times it proved costly with the ball sailing straight back over his head to make it a level ball game once more.
“I did make a couple of mongrel kicks in that third quarter,” Steicke said.
“I’m sure the boys are not going to let me forget about that tonight.”
Thomas Isma was a part of the Tigers seniors thrashing to Kerang last weekend but exacted more than a measure of revenge on Saturday, slotting what turned out to be the match-winning goal deep into the quarter.
Cordwell would again miss a couple of gettable opportunities, but it did not prove costly as the Tigers held on in a scrappy yet memorable Grand Final.
It is the Tigers’ second reserves flag in three seasons (COVID years discounted) and made up for their 2019 Grand Final loss to Swan Hill.
