After a second-half stroll leading to a 36-point grand final win over Kyabram, Echuca co-captain Will Monahan expressed a broad range of emotions.
A second successive premiership stirred up all the sensations of jubilation and ecstasy one would naturally expect.
For Monahan, though, the moment is not without its lamentations.
“It’s obviously super special, but some mixed emotions ... I had three of my best mates (Brady Simpson, Hugh Evans and Joe Guiney) miss out through selection,” Monahan said.
“Like our coach Simon Maddox said (at the post-match ceremony), squads win premierships.
“Some boys had to miss out, but I’m very, very proud of the group.”
Still, the delight was immense, as Monahan pointed out, for teammates Jack McHale and Mitch Kemp, who made the squad after missing out on last year’s triumph over Euroa.
“The whole group was very keen to do it for them,” he said.
As for the on-field prowess, Monahan paid tribute to coaches and supporting staff that ensured the squad was in prime physical condition to rise a cut above on the big day.
“(We’re) super confident in our fitness, and we knew Kyabram was going to come out and give it their all,” Monahan said.
“We knew if we could stick around to half-time, our leg speed and our fitness would probably get the job done.
“That’s a testament to the coaches getting us in the right nick in pre-season, and to the boys buying in.
“On a hot day, just being fitter helps.”
Echuca had every chance of making this grand final Sunday a fruitful one.
With a wealth of trophies making the long haul back up north, their seniors’ leading goalkicker finished off with a relieved congratulatory statement.
“It’s just a super day for the club.”