Under 10s Grand Final
Stingrays 2.3 (15) def Moe Lions 1.4 (10)
Off to the big dance they went on Sunday, and from the moment they arrived there wasn't a whole lot of nerves on show. Instead, the message going around the group was simple: "We can do this, boys." They were excited, confident and ready.
From the first bounce it was clear Moe had come ready to play, attacking early and putting the Stingrays under pressure. But the backline stood firm, with Vinnie, Parker W and Nate making Moe earn every opportunity. Through the middle, Fletcher, Frankie, Cian and Tex worked hard to get things moving, with Arlo putting the first point on the board in a tight, contested first term.
A few changes after quarter time: Mack into the ruck, Carter and Roman into the backline, Jack U moving forward, kept the structure strong as Moe continued to press. Taine took an important mark in defence, Jett and Ollie worked the wings, and Davey was creating opportunities forward. But both sides remained locked in arm-to-arm Grand Final footy, neither willing to give an inch.
The third quarter was when the Stingrays lifted. Alex, Max and Mitchell won the key contested ball, giving the team more opportunity to push forward. Arlo found his moment and kicked the first goal of the Grand Final. The sideline erupted. Cian added a point and suddenly the Stingers had momentum.
Ten minutes to go. Everything on the line. The message from the coaches was simple: stay calm and run it out.
For the next five minutes, that's exactly what happened. Oscar and Kye worked hard across half-forward, Kit and Charlie tackled and pressured relentlessly, and Arlo struck again to give the Stingers some breathing room. But with two minutes remaining Moe kicked a goal, and suddenly just five points separated the two sides.
Nail-biting doesn't cover it.
With 30 seconds left, a quick grab and kick from Cian found Tex, who moved it on to Mack for a mark — possession, and the clock running down. Then the siren.
Premiers.
Three teammates combining when it mattered most, fitting for a group that had played for each other all season long. Coaches Jack and Pixie, every parent and volunteer who drove all over the place and filled every job, thank you. What a ride. Lisa Fitz
Under 12s Grand Final
Corner Inlet 4.3 (27) def Moe 1.6 (12)
Inspired by the Under 10s premiership win just moments before, Captain Sam led the undefeated Under 12 Stingrays onto the big stage at Ted Summerton Reserve to a wall of noise: family and friends waving posters and shaking tinsel pom poms, with Stingrays from every age group cheering them on. Could the Stingers complete the perfect season?
Kelly went straight to work in the ruck, Jobe and Bray hunted the ball from the middle, and before the crowd had time to take a bite out of their pies, Leo M had marked, played on, and banged it through. The Stingrays had the first goal of the Grand Final on the board. Diddy defended strongly despite motorbike injuries, Logan saved his best game for the biggest stage, Isaac was superb from full back, and Max, born for the big stage, laid a ripping tackle to earn a free kick, kicked to Xander, then streaked forward to mark and nail the Stingrays' second. Two goals up at quarter time.
The second quarter was more of the same, with the midfield working hard to push the ball forward. James and Jobe combined beautifully to find Kelly, who handballed to the ever-running Billy. Isaac coolly marked in the goal square under finals pressure and cleared. Then the moment of the quarter: Kelly and Logan combined to Harley, who played on to Max, who took off like Gout Gout: two bounces, streamed into the forward line, and slammed through his second goal to take the Stingrays to half time with a healthy lead.
Moe kicked an early third-quarter goal and applied real pressure, with several shots narrowly missing. Annabelle and James cleared, Jobe and Bray pestered relentlessly, and Kelly was phenomenal in the ruck, barely pausing between ballups. Heading into the last quarter, just eight points separated the sides.
This was it. Coach Lukey asked the kids how much they wanted it. The answer was obvious.
Mighty Max was unstoppable, Jobe provided razzle dazzle, Billy and Harley found extra in their tanks, and Captain Sam earned a crucial free kick under heavy contact at half forward. Then, with the crowd willing every possession forward, Max swooped on a clearing kick, booted it long to the square, and Harley kicked the sealing goal. Harley face-planted. The kids embraced. The siren blew.
Premiers.
Max was named best player of the Grand Final: a thoroughly worthy winner of a thoroughly deserved premiership.
To coaches Lukey and Clint, team managers Troy and Shannan, umpires, committee, canteen stars Jules and Jen, runner Simon, first aiders, President Johnno and every volunteer: this premiership belonged to all of you. And to the kids: the muddy boots, the training runs, the tears and smiles, it all led to this moment. Carry it with you forever. Em Green
