The season ended in disappointment for Wangaratta Magpies in the O&M thirds football grand final on Sunday, with Wangaratta going down 6.7 (43) to Lavington 9.9 (63).
Rainfall earlier in the day meant it would be a tough day at the office for the thirds, with the ball and players slipping across the turf at the Lavington Sports Ground.
It was a scrappy contest early as both teams ripped into the game with a hunger to take the ball.
Wangaratta had the first look at goal through 15-year-old Lenny Sims just two minutes in, but the kick fell short and was cleared by Lavington.
Lavington’s Cooper Hall would find the opening goal of the day, able to work off Kaeden Burrows, take the mark in the goal square and thump it through.
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The woes for the Magpies really started at the 10 minute mark, when a questionable advantage was paid from a free kick to Rama Schultz in the forward line, which resulted in a turnover and the ball being cleared.
Lavington captain Riley Costello would put the Panthers 14 points up at the 15-minute mark, with Wangaratta still scoreless.
Magpie’s co-captain John Blake had a chance to kick Wangaratta’s first, but pushed it wide for a minor score.
The Magpies started the second term down by two goals, and it was a shootout throughout, seeing eight goals kicked for the term, still within touching distance at the half-time break.
Rama Schultz would kick the Magpies’ first, from 35 metres out tight on the boundary after a brilliant tackle caught Lavington’s Aiden Hill holding the ball.
Wangaratta’s defensive structure held up exceptionally well, repeatedly repelling attacks, but Lavington’s Carson Way slotted the Panthers’ fourth, before Isaiah Robertson put the margin out to 25 midway through the second.
Owain Boyle and Cooper Newton would combine to add six points to the scoreboard, co-captain Charlie Kerwin kicked truly for his first, while Hunter Barry brought it within 13 points at the major break.
The game returned to its high-pressure, contested style, as both teams sought to gain an edge.
Schultz found his second goal in the opening minutes of the third, but rain would be the star of the quarter, with the heavens opening and drenching the players, the ball, and the ground itself.
Bodies were flying at the ball and players were putting their body on the line to gain possession, but 14 minutes into the term, Wangaratta’s Owain Boyle was on the wrong side of a bump and came from the ground clutching his shoulder, and would not retake the ground.
Lavington upped the pressure throughout, and as the final term began, Wangaratta had an almighty task ahead of them, down by 12 points.
Hamish Laverty took a stunning mark after charging down the wing and slotted the goal to bring it within seven points during the opening stages of the quarter.
Conditions and the frenetic pace of the game made clean possessions few and far between, as both camps gave it their all to will the footy forward.
A snap from Lenny Sims at the 17-minute mark could’ve reignited the ‘Pies, but a cruel bounce saw the Sherrin dart left instead of right for a minor score and bringing the margin to two even kicks.
Lavington’s Isaiah Robertson took a mark 30m out with just seconds to go, and was lining up for his fifth as the siren sounded, finishing with the goal and securing the flag by 20 points.
Panthers captain Riley Costello would take out the Brett Kirk Medal for best on ground, while for the Magpies, Will Petersen stood tall in defence, young Lenny Sims displayed his class, and Charlie Haring, Angus Jayet, Rama Schultz and Trent Berry were impressive.
