Wimmera-Mail Times | Wimmera footballers were part of a Vic Country brigade that claimed three wins from three matches in Bendigo on Saturday.
VICTORIA COUNTRY dominated its three matches against the Victorian Amateur Football Association in Bendigo on Saturday, but not without the help of the Wimmera's finest footballers.
Horsham Demons co-coach Nick Pekin, Ararat's Liam Cavanagh and Xavier Vearing, and Donald coach Luke Fisher all played key roles at the weekend.
Pekin and Fisher were part of the winning Vic Country number two side, while Cavanagh and Vearing played in the under-19 side.
Horsham's Billy Lloyd was an emergency for the under-19 team, but did not earn a last-minute call-up.
Pekin captained the number two side on Saturday, but it was Donald's Fisher who shone, earning best-afield honours in the 10.16 (76) to 7.5 (47) win.
The number two side made a slow start in the opening term but Pekin said it responded well.
"They got the jump on us early but we were able to get back into the contest," he said.
"Considering the weather we certainly ground it out for four quarters.
"It was really wet, but we seemed to adapt a little better than they did."
Pekin said the conditions were the worst he had played in for many years.
"I haven't played in weather like that for years. It was shocking," he said.
"I think it was about five degrees."
Pekin said his role as captain was a memorable one.
"Speaking in front of your peers from across different regions, it's something I'll remember into the future," he said.
Ararat's Cavanagh was vice-captain of the under-19 side, and alongside ruckman Vearing, the key-position player admitted the slippery conditions did not suit either of them.
"It wasn't the best conditions for talls. But I worked my way into the contest and adapted to the conditions a little bit," he said.
"Xavier played well, but it was a hard day to be a ruckman. He had a good battle against a guy who was 202 centimetres."
Cavanagh said the eventual 9.13 (61) to 1.6 (12) scoreline was not a true indication of how the contest panned out.
"It didn't really reflect very well. It was challenging all across the ground," he said.
"There were no weak links in their team. Everyone had to be accountable."
Cavanagh was moved into the midfield during the match, and he said it helped him settle into the contest.
Cavanagh said the experience of playing at Vic Country level would assist him at club level.
"It's a different pace and it hopefully adds another string to my bow. Now I know I can play some of these different roles," he said.
"I think I can bring these things back to the club."
Vic Country number one claimed 62-point win in the final match on Saturday.
Stawell Warrior Jackson Taurau is another of the region’s footballers to be celebrating, after his Under-16 Vic Country side went through the NAB Under-16 Championships undefeated.
