Herald Sun |
HEALESVILLE ticked the final box of its 2013 checklist when it claimed the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League Division 2 flag.
The Bloods capped a remarkable season, which featured the minor premiership and just one loss, with an 18.18 (126) to 12.8 (80) win over Seville in Saturday's grand final at Yarra Junction.
The result also returns Healesville to Division 1 for 2014, a year after it was relegated to Division 2.
Club president David Duncan said the premiership was 12 months in the making.
"It's just a big step to get back up there (Division 1),'' he said while cooking the players breakfast on Sunday morning. "I suppose it was a box ticked for me, we really wanted to pick the pace up.
"My biggest thing was probably trying to get the culture right because even if you go up you're not much chop if your culture isn't right.
"We've changed the training culture, become a bit more professional this year and the boys have worked hard and were well rewarded for that on Saturday.''
Duncan heaped praise on Josh Goding who was named best on ground for his outstanding performance.
"He was just relentless at the footy with his second and third efforts,'' Duncan said. "He's a soldier.''
Jack Nugent and Shaun Donkin also featured prominently for the Bloods.
Century goalkicker Luke Barclay kicked six goals to finish the year with 121.
For Seville, Matthew Crowle booted five goals and collected best-player accolades for his side.
MEANWHILE, in Division 1, Wandin was set to face Woori Yallock in the preliminary final at Gembrook on Sunday.
The winner will meet Upwey Tecoma in next Saturday's grand final.
The Bulldogs were looking to rebound after being outclassed by Upwey last week, while Woori is fresh from a confidence-boosting win over Belgrave.
