EVERYTHING fell into place for Edenhope-Apsley in its surprise premiership victory against Laharum on Saturday.
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The Saints shocked the competition by besting the previously undefeated Laharum in the grand final.
The Mountain Men were seemingly-unstoppable, dominating the competition and finishing the home and away season with a percentage of nearly 500.
The first signs Laharum was vulnerable came in the first quarter when Edenhope-Apsley kicked the first two goals of the game.
Small forward Lewis Thompson, the shortest player on the field, came up big in the early going.
He earned a free kick for a push in the back and immediately gave it off to Grant Cother for the first goal of the game.
Lachie Middleton split the middle with another goal minutes later, and it did not stop there.
Thompson marked deep in the pocket after a pass from Ollie Gabbe and ran around to snap the Saints’ third. Gabbe then goaled to give his side a 26-nil lead.
Laharum’s Pat Easson showed why he is considered one of the best in the league with a brilliant running goal at the other end to get the Mountain Men on the board.
Having played most of the season without players such as Cother, Ben Campbell and Sam McClure, who all played seniors, the Saints relished the opportunity to include them in the side.
The Saints were cleaner with the ball out of the midfield and it told in the second and third terms.
They finally broke the game open in the last quarter, booting five goals to one to extend their lead to 35 by the final siren.
Thompson was named best on ground with three goals but Cother could consider himself unlucky after starring in the midfield.
Saints coach James Ackland said even he was surprised at how well his team played to upset the two-time reigning premier.
“We’re probably a bit surprised . It’s hard to believe how it all unfolded,” he said. “We had a few blokes that normally play seniors and our ruckman was dominant all day to give our midfielders first use of the ball.
“The game was won in the midfield.”
Laharum coach Brian Burke said his side should still be proud of its season.
“We’ll go away pretty happy with our season,” he said.
