LAKE Boga triumphed in the Colts grand final on Saturday, defeating Kerang 11.6.72 to 4.7.31
The Magpies got their revenge on the Blues after a devastating semi-final loss in which Kerang came back from a four-goal three-quarter-time deficit to claim a three-point win.
That result mattered little on Saturday, with the Magpies giving the Blues no time to settle into the contest.
Magpies head coach Blake Anderson said in his post-game address, “I am so proud of you boys.
“We spoke about committing to it at the start of the year, and that’s what you did.”
Kerang won the toss and kicked with the wind but failed to take advantage, as the Magpies took a crucial 10-point lead at quarter-time.
Xavier Sherlock opened the Magpies’ account before the Blues hit straight back.
Dustin Burns, who has had a breakout year in his club’s senior side, nailed a set shot late in the term to give his side an abundance of confidence.
Boga was on top all over the ground, dominating the contest thanks to their high pressure.
But, more importantly, their superb transition out of defence helped them minimise the wind’s effect.
Burns started the second quarter where he left off, slotting another set shot a minute into the term.
Ruan Drotsky kicked another soon after before the Blues dropped a spare man behind the ball and managed to stem the flow.
Boga dominated forward entries in this period but failed to capitalise until Burns kicked his third goal of the half, snapping a beauty from deep in the pocket to give his side a 28-point half-time buffer.
The Blues pegged the margin back to 22 points early in the third quarter, but that was as close as they got with Koben Ryan and Drotsky hitting straight back to established a 32-point three-quarter-time lead.
Any hope of another miraculous final quarter comeback from the Blues was killed off when Ryan kicked another goal a minute into the final term to nail the Blues’ coffin shut.
The Blues scored a couple of junk-time majors to make the margin more respectable, but the Magpies ran out 41-point victors.
Harry Bull was named best on ground.
