Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes claimed their first football silverware in five years with victory in Saturday's AFL Riverina Championship reserve grade grand final.
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The Goannas upstaged Wagga Tigers on the big stage to claim the premiership, 8.6 (54) to 4.4 (28) at Robertson Oval.
The game was still there for the taking at three-quarter-time in a dour affair and it was MCUE who rose to the occasion with the first four goals of the final term to seal victory.
Angus McLay stood tall when it mattered and booted three of the Goannas' five goals in the second half to help them over the line.
First-year MCUE reserve grade coach Nat Davis was thrilled to guide his home club to a premiership victory.
"It's pretty good mate. I lost one in 2011-12 so to get the choccies today is a good feeling," Davis said.
"I've done my hammy so I don't think I did too much out here today but I'll take the win regardless."
Will Murray was a standout for MCUE with a strong game at centre-half-forward, while Elliott Winter and Mitchell Scott also played starring roles in the win.
Davis paid tribute to his team's willingness to put their head over the football.
"Our midfield drive and Will Murray as our centre-half-forward just clunked everything but there was no passengers today," he said.
"Just our contested footy and hardness at the ball. I haven't questioned it all year but today we really brought it and that's what got us the game."
It was the first loss of the season for Tigers, on the worst possible day. Zach Brain was a standout in defeat.
Davis also paid tribute to MCUE's committee for pushing ahead with the decision to play this season.
"It's a massive credit to our committee. The amount of time and effort they've put in this year to get us to where we are," he said.
"When we first started I thought, we're not going to go anywhere here but they've put in all this extra effort for only six games but I'll take the win no matter what."
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