The strength of Cobram Football Club’s junior football program shone brightly on Murray Football League’s grand final day, as its under-14s won by three points in a thrilling decider against Moama.
Kicking off the dew on a wintery day at Moama Recreation Reserve, the Tigers and Magpies gave it absolutely everything, producing an epic 60 minutes of football that resulted in a 3.4 (22) to 3.1 (19) win to Cobram.
In the end, it was the feats of best-on-ground medallist Jack Iddles that tipped the scales in the Tigers’ favour, booting all three of his team’s goals in a performance that would have excited Cobram fans about the future of the club.
The perfect ending to what had been an epic journey for the side, co-coach Duane Kelly said he could not have been more proud of his team’s efforts on grand final day.
“What a fantastic start to the day for the club and I could not be more proud of the kids,” Kelly said.
“I knew we had the calibre of kids, the talent and the heart to get the job done, we’ve worked so hard to get to this point, so for the kids to be rewarded today I could not be more thrilled.
“The journey has been a 15-year one for us at Cobram, we have committed to our youth, and this result shows the future is certainly bright at the club.”
With a heavy breeze blowing to the southern end of Moama Recreation Reserve, the Magpies looked to use is first up, dominating field position in the opening term.
Unfortunately, the players were not able to make it count on the scoreboard.
Iddles started the game at full back and led an epic defensive effort by Cobram that conceded just one major.
Trailing by five points in the second term, the Tigers made their move, with Mikael Corso on top through the midfield and delivering the ball to Iddles who was swung forward.
Showcasing his X-factor, the utility was a threat in the air and on the ground, booting two quick goals to give Cobram a handy seven-point buffer at the main break.
Again kicking into the breeze in the third, the Tigers needed another epic defensive effort.
Returning to the backline, Iddles again stood tall, repelling countless Moama entries as Cobram protected its lead.
A Magpies major in the dying minutes of the quarter set up a grandstand finish, cutting the deficit to just one.
With just 15 minutes separating the two teams from premiership glory, intensity lifted as the players desperately threw themselves onto the football.
Kicking with the breeze, Cobram had better field position early in the term, before a free kick inside 50 gave Iddles the chance for his third, which the young gun duly converted.
But the Magpies just kept going, kicking a goal at the 12-minute mark, setting up an epic fashion.
In what was three minutes of madness, Cobram players held their nerve, locking the ball in their attacking end to secure the three-point win.
Iddles was best-on-ground for his three goals, in a performance that Kelly described as “fantastic.”
“My co-coach Danny Kelf made the call to move Jack forward when we had the breeze and it was a masterstroke,” he said.
“Jack’s game and his whole season has been fantastic, he is our vice-captain and was given a role today which he relished.
“He is a real X-Factor player, a great team man and will be a very important part of this club in the future.”
Fresh off taking out the league’s best and fairest and goal-kicking awards, Corso was prolific for the Tigers through the midfield, while Rocco Anastasio, Samuel Watson and Lachlan Percy also impressed.
MFL under-14s grand final
Cobram: 0.1 2.2 2.2 3.4 (22)
Moama: 1.0 1.1 2.1 3.1 (19)
GOALS: Cobram: J.Iddles 3. Moama: J.Barden, L.Keam, T.Naujok
BEST: Cobram: J.Iddles, M.Corso, R.Anastasio, S.Watson, L.Percy, W.Mele. Moama: J.Mason, X.Lane, T.Naujok, C.Proussalis, H.Boyd, M.McCarthy.