Shepparton United's Dahnell Bowden hunts down Moama's Benjamin Billing. Photos: Jazzy Johal.
There was plenty of talk about Shepparton United Junior Football Club in the lead-up to the Goulburn Murray Junior League under-16s division two grand final, but the Demons that took to the field on Sunday afternoon were focused on nothing but winning.
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For a group of teenagers, the Demons showed maturity beyond their years to block the noise of the grand final venue debate and focus on football, producing a resilient display against Moama, the club that had beaten United a fortnight ago in the qualifying final.
The Demons and Magpies featured raw talent in the grand final, making it a spectacle to behold for onlookers.
Co-captain Bradley Atkinson opened the Demons’ account with a fortunate bounce, as his pace and agility dazzled defenders throughout the match.
Moama’s Jasper Hearn kicked arguably one of the goals of the day across all matches on Sunday, a drop punt on the run tucked tight in the pocket for the Mowers’ first major.
Hearn peeled off in celebration towards a rapturous cheer squad behind the goals, high-fiving the supporters on the boundary fence, but the Demons made an immediate reply through Ayden Sullivan.
In the second term, the Demons’ lead grew after a selfless handball by Casaidon Joachim set up Bodhi Luvara for his first of two majors, while a set shot from a free kick for Sullivan put the Demons ahead 1.3 (9) to 4.4 (28) at half time.
Moama's Charlie Groves lowers the eyes at the centre square.
After the Demons nabbed three behinds to start the term, Moama nailed the first goal of the second half, but an immediate centre clearance after was marked Luvara, who wasted no time snapping and curling the Sherrin through at the height of the post.
A 21-point lead three-quarter-time was just about insurmountable, and while Moama had their moments in the final term, a Harlem Globetrotters-esque passage of six one-two handballs down the wing between co-captains Atkinson and George-Mabi Nicholson highlighted the unearthed talent in the Demons side - talent too strong to hold down.
In every contest at Deakin Reserve, you could bank on Nicholson exiting the congestion with the football, the skipper leading his Demons to a 5.6 (35) to 7.8 (50) victory.
Nicholson was awarded with best-on-ground for both medals named by the umpires and the media.
Atkinson was a livewire spark on the wing, while Kaidan McGee should also be celebrated for being a reliable general in the last line of defence.
Shepparton United coach Troy Prosser was proud of his players after a season that featured many challenges.
“It was special, we’ve played down a lot with injuries and concussions all year, so it’s a real credit to this group,” Prosser said.
“They fought really hard and they were ultra-focused coming into today.
“There was a lot of emotion (at the final siren).
“With younger kids at the 16s, there’s a lot of highs, and there’s a lot of lows, and as a coach you go through them with them.
“It’s a grand final, it’s what we all play for, it’s really good for these kids.”
