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GANMAIN-Grong Grong-Matong coach Jayden Kotzur is happy with the Lions’ season despite falling one game short of a grand final berth.
The Lions’ season came to an end yesterday when they went down by 40 points to Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka at Robertson Oval.
GGGM was too slow out of the blocks with the Demons 45 points up at quarter-time before the Lions got going in the second term.
GGGM got right on top in the second and third terms to close the margin to 18 points at three-quarter-time before CAK kicked away in the end.
Kotzur said the 45-point margin at quarter-time was too big a start to give CAK.
“It was really disappointing,” Kotzur said.
“We probably started a lot of games slow this year and it’s probably ended up costing us really.
“They’re a good team, ’Gullie, and made the most of their opportunities and hurt us on the scoreboard where it matters most.”
While disappointed, Kotzur was proud of his group’s character as they fought their way back into the contest.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this bunch of blokes,” Kotzur said.
“Not just great footballers, but great human beings and that’s what we strive to be at Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong, on and off the field.
“It was a slow start but the two quarters in the middle there they just fought back and clawed back and gave it everything and got ourselves back in it.
“We probably ran out of petrol tickets in the end.”
Luke Kohlhagen was outstanding for the Lions in defeat, while Scott Crozier successfully tagged Chris Gordon out of the game.
Kotzur, who has committed to another season in charge of GGGM, was happy with the step forward the team took this season.
“It’s probably been a good season in the fact we only lost three games throughout the year and got ourselves into a position where we probably could have pushed for that last day in September,” Kotzur said.
“Things didn’t fall our way. We probably ran out of steam.
“It’s definitely not a wasted year after missing out on finals last year.
“It’s a year where we wanted to progress and now we’ve got to make sure we stick fat and work together over the pre-season and come back for it stronger next year.” Kotzur said GGGM had signed “pretty much everyone” and the only confirmed retiree yesterday was Crozier.
Kotzur paid tribute to Crozier’s career.
“He’s been an unbelievable servant of the footy club,” Kotzur said.
“He’s going to be a massive loss to our team.
“He’s just the epitome of what GGGM stands for and the selfless acts every week, whether it be forward, back, midfield, starting on the pine, playing his role, he’s just a cracking bloke and he’ll be sorely missed.”