Back-to-back grand finals for Pies

By Brad Kingsbury
IT TOOK 52 years for Narre Warren under-18s to add another premiership pennant to their history books last year, but it only took another 12 months to make it two in a row on Saturday.
The Magpie youngsters now must be recognised as the absolute league pacesetters at under-18 level, after they overwhelmed Devon Meadows by 57 points in the grand final at the Toomuc Reserve.
Triumphant coach Mark Douglas was emotional after the game and paid tribute to the club and his charges for their absolute dedication to the junior side.
“I had them in the Colts last year and we all came up together. They are a terrific bunch of kids,” he said. “The club has put a lot of emphasis on the under-18s and that’s why the results have come. I will be putting my hand up again to do the job next season if they want me, for sure.”
Devon Meadows booted with the assistance of a strong breeze, but was inaccurate, kicking only 1.5 in the first term.
That turned out to be the break that the Magpies needed and they applied the pressure through Michael McKenzie, Nick Cowan and Dean Scanlon to take a 27-point lead into the half-time break.
Again, bad kicking for goal plagued the young Panthers after the break and the Magpies took complete control, easing away to a comfortable victory.
Running half-back Michael McKenzie was awarded the VCFL Medal for best afield and Douglas said the result was a matter of good planning and good discipline.
“We knew they would be physical with us and the instruction was to get it out in the open and away we go. The boys did that really well,” he said.
“We worked our way into the game and got on top.
“We changed tactics halfway through the year and started working on game plans. They listened and learned and now we have the prize.”
Devon Meadows best included Steve McInnes, Dale Alanis and Lucas Campbell and coach Brent Clinnick, while disappointed, complimented his players for the season’s effort.
“We set ourselves a target in the first week of the finals and we stuck to it. Full credit to the boys,” he said.
“Narre Warren was the better team on the day, but my boys have a lot to offer this football club and they’ll be a force in the senior side, I’m sure. There a lot of good mates there and they like playing with each other. Against a side like Narre Warren, you’ve got to take your opportunities and we didn’t.”
Clinnick said he would be stepping aside and pursuing a senior coaching position next season.