The Under 12 Grand Final started in good conditions for footy between the previously undefeated Combined Saints and TEDAS. Combined Saints got off to a flyer in the opening minute when a long ball into the forward line to Jack White saw him off load a hand pass to Connor Ambler running pass who kicked truly for goal. Combined Saints continued to attack and Tate Marsh received a free kick, which he passed to Jack White 25 metres out from goal and calmly slotted through their second goal. Most of the play was played forward of the centre and TEDAS backline was doing a good job, applying pressure everytime the opposition got the ball. Tate Marsh collected the ball at half back and speared a 35 metre pass to a team mate on the wing. Tate then followed up and ran pass, receiving a hand pass and speared another pass to the leading Mason Shields in the forward pocket. From a tight angle, Mason slotted through a lovely goal. Just before quarter time, TEDAS sent the ball forward and a shot on goal only just missed to the left, and trailing 3-4-22 to 0-1-1 at the first change.
In the first minute of the second quarter, Mason Shields received a free kick who sent the ball to the goal square where Jack White took a pack mark and kicked truly again to extend Combined Saints lead. It wasnt long before Jack took another mark and hand balled to the running man, Tate Marsh, who calmly slotted through his first goal of the game. Combined Saints were dominating the second quarter, as their backline stopped any TEDAS advancement through the good work of Nick Henderson and Jackson McMahon. Joel Phelan received a pass from Tim Sartori on the lead, and he kicked another goal for Combined Saints and a handy 6 goal lead. Mason Shields latched onto a loose ball in the forward line to kick his second, and not long after, Conner Ambler received the ball from Tate Marsh to kick their fifth of the quarter and hold a 8 goal lead at the long break.
TEDAS Coach Glen Duncan praised his boys and told them to keep going and think back to last week when they caused an upset over Glengarry, and that they could still do the same in this game. Darren Thain kept the meassage simple to his kids, telling them to continue to do the same as the first half.
The third quarter was an arm wrestle, as the TEDAS kids really lifted and as the rain started to fall, it gave them confidence and they were able to restrict many forward advances by Combined Saints. Tate Marsh sent the ball forward and followed up his kick into the forward, where he found the ball again, and managed to dribble a left foot goal through, the only major for the quarter. Connor Ambler and Blake Ward continued torack up possession for Combined Saints, while Paul Kuol, Mitch Membrey and Ricky Cochrane were trying to lift and encourage their teammates to keep working and move the ball forward.
The rain continued to fall in the last quarter, which made the conditions very difficult for the kids. The TEDAS team continued to give their all and at no stage did they drop their heads and stop contributing. Tate Marsh managed the only goal of the quarter, kicking long from the pocket, which cleared the pack and somehow managed to bounce the right way and through.
Combined Saints defeated TEDAS 10-10-70 to 0-3-3, becoming Premiers and Champions, and winning the clubs first Under 12 Premiership in 21 years. Best on Ground was awarded to Connor Ambler from Combined Saints,capping off a great year for him, with winning Interleague Captain, joint League Best and Fairest Winner, and now Premiership Captain.
The TDJFL congratulate Combined Saints on their exceptional year as Premiers and Champions in 2009.
Last Modified on 30/08/2009 22:20