THEY'VE been double trouble for Leeton United's rivals all year, but Fred and Henri Gardner have backed younger brother Eric to make a bigger impact when he soon bursts onto the Pascoe Cup scene.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Gardners were influential in Leeton United's 3-1 extra time grand final win over Hanwood, Fred in particular, who set up Daniel McKenzie's go-ahead goal in extra time before scoring the sealer himself.
By their count, it's the brothers' seventh premiership, with Leeton United ending a 27-year title drought.
"We knew what we were going into. It had been 27 years, a long time and we embraced that challenge with both hands," Henri said.
"The first chat we had to the guys at the club was that was the plan (win a premiership).
"We knew it was going to be hard work but we always believed we could do it, and it's good to get it done in the end."
After Hanwood equalised midway through the second half, Fred said the team never lost belief their greater threat in attack would eventually be decisive.
"When they scored that equaliser we always believed we would still win. There's plenty of goals in our team and we've shown that all year," he said.
"After every goal you could see the celebrations and what it meant for the club, for the supporters and for Leeton.
"We'd like to thank the club for supporting us and we'll enjoy this, we're just so happy the team got it done."
Their younger brother Eric, 15, featured in Lake Albert Red's under 15-16 boys grand final win on Saturday.
Eric is also an attack-minded player, with Fred playing up front his year and Henri slotting behind in the no.10 role.
Henri said their ultimate goal is to win a title together as a trio.
"Eric will be 16 next year and we'd love to win a grand final with my brother as well," he said.
"We train together all the time and he's going to be better than us, he's going to be way better than us."
Henri said the brothers are yet to decide on what the future holds beyond this year, but said Leeton United had made them feel comfortable.
"We just want to enjoy the moment and celebrate, drink out of a trophy and we'll take next year as it comes," he said.
"Leeton is now part of our family, they're a great bunch of blokes with their players and staff and especially their coach.
"We lost one game, we drew one and we've been number one all year.
"We're really enjoying the Pascoe Cup and we're blessed and lucky to be playing grand finals."
READ MORE
