There was plenty of sun beating down upon Picola District Football League grand final day, but these young Kats were too cool.
Tocumwal sought many happy returns as the Bloods took on Katandra in the 2024 under-17 football grand final in their first year back under the Picola banner.
An exceptional start from the blue and white brigade left it all looking distant, the Kats reaping the fruits of a wildly successful campaign up and down the club.
A 13-point buffer at the first change was anything but game over, though, and there was significant spirit about Tocumwal’s ranks whenever they could make an imprint on the scoreboard.
Katandra kept matters at arm’s length heading into the second half with a firm control over the inside 50 count, boasting the run of play but simply not converting chances to make it comfortable.
The game took a more worrying turn just before the half when Katandra’s Kaden Cook was stretchered off after a collision in defensive 50.
The behinds continued to fall for the Kats, still unable to break away in the third while Bloods co-captain Pacey Haebich and forward dynamo Liam Sutton brought red and white fans to their feet and kept the questions coming.
Sam Bennett unleashed from range to make it a one-point buffer, but Mason Everard’s galvanising goal provided the desperately needed breathing room with a quarter to play.
The blows continued to land as key forward Harry Keat delivered a crafty snap, but the battle raged on until Hayden Kruze coolly found the big sticks on an angle to ice it, certainly doing his bit to lift the crowd in the aftermath.
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Katandra's Hayden Kruse and Tocumwal's Charles Locke get tangled on the boundary. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 2 of 7
Katandra's Harrison Willaton had a big day ahead with a senior grand final berth to come. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 3 of 7
Tocumwal's Pacey Haebich locks up Katandra's Harrison Willaton. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 4 of 7
Tocumwal's Chace Brunskill claims the mark at ground level. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 5 of 7
Tocumwal's Seth Lawrence has to try and evade Katandra's Joshua Mizzi. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 6 of 7
Tocumwal's Logan White stands the mark opposite Katandra's Joshua Mizzi. Photo by Rechelle ZammitImage 7 of 7
Tocumwal's Pacey Haebich takes a moment to recuperate. Photo by Rechelle ZammitEventually down to two on the bench through injury, it was an attrition battle for the young Kats but they would hold on and take the cup home, winning 10.15 (75) to 8.6 (54).
For the second football clash in a row, there was disappointment for an unbeaten side falling at the final hurdle as Tocumwal’s perfect run ended on the big stage.
Post-match, there were heartwarming scenes as the victorious side gathered around Cook’s stretcher to bestow him his premiership medal and sing the song as a group.
Katandra co-coach Mitch McGrath, himself a busy man with a senior decider to prepare for straight afterwards, beamed with pride at his young charges.
“I couldn’t be prouder of the boys. There’s something special about them that we’ve had all year, and they’ve grown every single week,” McGrath said.
“Everyone stood up during the year and that full team effort showed today.”
“Kaden copped a pretty brutal hit and I think he’s done a knee; he always puts his head over the footy but we used that as motivation to get it done for him as he couldn’t finish it off with us.”
“They’re a super team who was undefeated and we never got ahead of ourselves. It would’ve been nice to put them away earlier but it was nice to be able to recoup and carry out the job.
“I’m super proud of the boys.”
Harrison Willaton received a double delight after taking home the best on ground medal for his toil.
“That kid is a superstar; the way he carries himself as a human is just superb,” McGrath said.
“It was just a super performance.
“He runs both ways and puts his head over it; I love the way he goes about it.”