It has been a rough season for Taylors Lake. The club has struggled with numbers in recent years. 

The Lakers came from third position in the regular season, battling to the grand final to face the Southern Mallee Giants. The Lakers won 14.14 (98) to 10.9 (69). 

Saturday was only the second loss for the Giants this season. 

Lakers president Brent Tough said he had confidence in the Lakers. 

“I was fairly confident that if they turned up with the right frame of mind they could push the Giants all the way,” he said. 

“They just came out and never took the foot off the accelerator. 

“They never let the Giants in.” 

Tough said despite the excitement in the air, he was sitting calmly in the grandstand. 

“I was just watching from there and encouraging the boys to keep pushing forward,” he said. 

“I was pretty reserved.” 

The Lakers kicked on to celebrate its first reserves premiership in 28 years. 

The Lakers last senior premiership was in 1952. 

“Everyone was out partying, we went down to the White Hart and then out to the club to continue celebrations,” he said. 

“Everyone was pretty well behaved.” 

Tough said the club had worked hard to get to this point. 

“We have worked really hard and it was even harder yesterday,” he said. 

“We catered for the grand final and everyone still managed to throw its support behind the boys. 

“It was a big credit to all members and supporters to help the club to make the catering a success and make sure we cheered the boys all the way home.” 

Dozens of Lakers supporters dressed up to cheer on the team. 

“At events like this our supporters really do get behind the players,” Tough said. 

“They wear their colours with pride, which is great for the club. 

“It is all great to see.” 

Tough said the hardest challenge had been keeping the Lakers together. 

“As most clubs would be aware, players tend to leave,” he said. 

“They leave to try different leagues and different positions at clubs. 

“The key is keeping them together.” 

Tough said he believed he had proven it was the key to a club’s success. 

“To get players to gel and play together is important,” he said. 

“Once you do that, success is just around the corner. I think we’ve now proven that, the reserves obviously love playing together.They certainly got their just desserts.” 

Tough said he hoped the premiership success would see players stick around. 

“We will just wait and see but I am confident and hopeful they will all be back and ready to go,” he said. 

“We have waited a long time for this. 

“Everyone was very happy and cheerful at the celebrations last night.” 

Jeames Offer and Christopher Harrison were the Lakers leading goal kickers. Ben Webster was the key man up front for the Giants, with three goals for the side. 

Leigh Stewart, Lucas Puckle, Kim Hallam, Matt Bellinger, Gareth Hose and Leighton Hateley were best on ground for the Giants. 

Max English, Lachlan Marks, Jeames Offer, Brent Marra, Adrian Hutchins and Joshua Colbert were the Lakers best.