RIVERINA FOOTBALL LEAGUE
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FOR Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka, a senior Riverina Football League (RFL) premiership was finally a knockout blow to silence the knockers.
Four years ago the club made the controversial decision to leave the Farrer League for a crack at the RFL.
It drew criticism and scepticism at the time, but the Demons have always known it was the right move.
CAK bowed out in the preliminary final the first year, then have made the grand final for the past three years.
It finally achieved the holy grail with Sunday's 13-point win.
But for CAK coach Shane Lenon, one of the major drivers of the move, the premiership is the "icing on the cake".
"Irrelevant of today's result, we got into the RFL for the best interests of our club," Lenon said.
"The future of our club, we thought, was in the RFL with our juniors, and our whole structure.
"We've had every single side from netball right through to seniors playing finals, we had our reserve grade win a flag last year.
"Our first grade weren't going to win a game in the RFL and they were going to be back in the Farrer League with their tales between their legs after a year.
"That was never going to be the case."
Lenon said the proof is in the pudding.
"A prelim and three grand finals in four years, anybody that says that's not a good effort is kidding themselves," he said.
"Today is the icing on the cake.
"It's what we were after, it's what you play footy for, you play footy to play finals, grand finals, but the ultimate in a team sport is a premiership.
"And don't worry, the last two years getting beat leaves a sour taste in your mouth, but just to make a grand final is still a good achievement.
"But the ultimate is winning."
Lenon said this is a win he, and everyone at CAK, will enjoy.
"They didn't want us in the RFL, we weren't going to be competitive, we weren't going to win a game, we were going to be back in the Farrer League," he said.
"Having Collingullie in the RFL is a positive for both leagues.
"Silence will be golden, from all the knockers."
This season was not always plain sailing.
The Demons lost several key players over the off-season and the signs were not good after a round one defeat to Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.
Lenon, though, kept the faith.
The Demons went on to win their next 15 home-and-away games, on their way to a premiership.
"I can't say I thought at that stage we had a premiership side, but I was still confident we had enough cattle to play finals," he said.
"Before a ball was bounced we were written off because we lost some good players.
"We lost five or six but we regrouped and the rest is history, we're premiers."
There is much speculation about Lenon's future.
He has been at CAK for seven years in this his second stint.
It has resulted in four premierships, three in the Farrer before the most satisfying one yesterday.
Lenon, still unsigned for next season, said his future will be worked out in the next fortnight.
"To be honest, we've got our presentation night Friday night, or premiership banquet, and the week after that I will sit down with the club and we'll get it sorted," he said.
"Nothing is in concrete, but we'll get it sorted then."