Collingullie-Glenfield Park became the first reserve grade side in 30 years to complete the perfect season after outlasting Griffith by 19 points in their grand final at Narrandera.
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The Demons launched a successful defence of their title and their 10.10 (70) to 7.9 (51) win against the Swans left a couple of marks in the record books.
They’re the first team since Wagga Tigers in 2011-2012 to win back-to-back flags in the grade and only the second team (after Turvey Park in 1988) to enjoy an unbeaten year in the 37-year history of the Riverina League reserve grade.
It made for an emotional start to grand final day for coach – and first grade player – Kal Sykes.
“It means so much. Just because they’re such a ripping bunch of blokes and they mean a lot to me,” Sykes said.
“I don’t get too much time with them on game day because of first grade but they put in everything for me. I hold them in pretty high regard. I hold them to first grade standards and they show me everything.
“It’s just heart and soul. It’s just effort, these boys.”
The Demons opened the scoring through Mitch Mullins but Griffith kicked the last two goals of the first quarter and the first of the second to lead by 13 points.
However, the spirit which saw Collingullie-GP enjoy such a consistent home-and-away season came to the fore and they kicked four in a row through Mullins, Joe Dowling (twice) and Zac Billingham for a 12-point lead and 25-point swing.
It was a break they refused to surrender, despite the Swans continually staying in touch.
Some missed opportunities in the third quarter might have proved costly for the Demons but they closed the quarter with goals to their two best on the day, Cody Cool and Luke Powell, to take a 22-point lead into the last quarter.
They weren’t to be denied from there, holding on for a three-goal win, helped by Griffith being unable to take their opportunities to put pressure on in the last.
Captain Powell was the Ryan Stewart Medallist for best-on-ground.
It maintained a superb record for Collingullie-GP in reserve grade – claiming their fourth premiership in six seasons.
Sykes was rapt in their ability to close out the year perfectly.
“It’s a great achievement,” he said. “I haven’t put too much thought into it (going through unbeaten) because I know how strong Griffith is as a club and as a side. I knew they’d come hard today. They came hard two weeks ago and they served it up again today. I can relax now and concentrate on the undefeated season. It’s a nice one.”
Full-time:
COLLINGULLIE-GP: 1.2, 6.5, 9.9, 10.10 (70)
GRIFFITH SWANS: 2.3, 5.4, 6.5, 7.9 (51)
Goals: (CGP) Zac Billingham 2, Joe Dowling 2, Mitch Mullins 2, Cody Cool 1, James Pope 1, Luke Powell 1, Matt Geppert 1; (Griffith) Andrew Cappello 2, Tom Howard 1, Jordan Burley 1, Luke Peruzzi 1, Todd Argus 1, Dean Bennett 1.
Best: (CGP) Cody Cool, Luke Powell, Joel Bryce, Joe Dowling, Benjamin Keith, Blake Ryan; (Griffith) Jordan Crowe, Nicholas Witherspoon, Beau Rees, Rocky Perre, Luke Peruzzi, Dean Bennett.
Ryan Stewart Medallist: Luke Powell (CGP)