In a clash between two teams with just one loss combined in 2024, there was always going to be quality on show when the Berrigan Saints and Tungamah did battle in the Picola League fourths grand final.
Tungamah claimed the first of the four Picola League football flags after overcoming Berrigan in a Saturday morning clash at Rennie.
The Saints had come into this decider unbeaten from their 16 regular season clashes, inflicting the Bears’ only blemish of the campaign in the process.
The result brought with it some revenge on the biggest stage of all for Tungamah, although it didn’t come without a significant arm-wrestle.
Early signs were physical yet cagey from the two teams with little in the way of scoreboard reward until midway through the second term.
It was then that the Bears put what ultimately proved a game-breaking margin on the board through a pair of lightning-quick majors to boast the first three of the contest.
Caution was thrown to the wind by both sides out of their half-time huddles with a more attack-minded approach seen throughout a different-looking third term.
Undeniably the game’s most impactful moment featured Billy Doyle running into an open Bears goal and celebrating raucously with red and gold faithful situated on the other side of the fence for a three-goal lead.
Berrigan had its moments, but when Taijan Ussher impressively slotted home a long-angled set shot midway through the last, everything needed to go right for the minor premiers.
Jett Bamford’s classy snap off a turnover inside 50 was a firm final blow, the Bears going on to lift the cup courtesy of a 8.9 (57) to 3.6 (24) win.
The result marked heartbreak in back-to-back deciders for Berrigan, having been undone by a single point in last year’s grand final against Jerilderie.
Ussher ruled the day on the scoreboard for Tungamah with four goals, while Caleb Anderson, Jack Magill and Jordan Swann found singles for the Saints.
Billy Doyle, with three of his own, was duly awarded his recognition as best afield in what turned into a powerful win.
Final score: Berrigan 3.6 (24) def by Tungamah 8.9 (57).
Berrigan goals: Caleb Anderson, Jack Magill, Jordan Swann.
Tungamah goals: Taijan Ussher 4, Billy Doyle 3, Jett Bamford.
Berrigan best: Jack Magill, Caleb Anderson, Nick Arnold, Jordan Swann, Thomas Baxter, Harvey Swann.
Tungamah best: Billy Doyle, Jett Bamford, Xavier Chessells, Taijan Ussher, Chase Payne, Luke O’Brien.