Weekly Times |
CUDGEWA coach Bill Deery said the premiership-winning club was striving for consecutive flags after emerging from the Upper Murray league doldrums on Saturday.
The Blues won their first premiership since 2000 after struggling for success in the six-team competition over the past decade, despite grand final appearances in 2011 and 2012.
On their home turf on Saturday, the Blues were too strong for league powerhouse Corryong, posting a 31-point victory.
Cudgewa consolidated its win in the first quarter, establishing a three-goal lead which fuelled the drought-breaking win.
High-marking forward Ben Hall (five goals) and competition leading goalkicker John Deery (four goals) were too strong inside-50 as hard man Michael Voight was awarded best-on-ground honours.
Bill Deery, who said he was stepping down from coaching, said the victory was a culmination of belief and a desire to repay the community.
“As I say to everyone, it’s more about the community rather than the blokes out on the field,” he said.
“The community is rapt with the win. A lot of people have put in a lot of work to get this success.
“The club should now be in a position to challenge for the flag for the next few seasons.
“With the list we’ve got and the club’s strength financially, we should be contenders again.”
Having finished fifth last year, Deery said a switch in mindset helped the team achieve the ultimate success.
“I think the success has come from a greater belief within ourselves,” he said.
“We’ve had a couple of player change overs which has helped but overall it’s probably the group trying to atone from the grand final losses.”
The Blues have won 28 premierships in their 122-year history.
Deery said clubs regularly experienced stints in the competition’s bowels.
“It doesn’t take long for a side to turn things around,” he said.
