TO say the Southern Mallee Giants deserved to win their second consecutive premiership is an understatement.
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The Giants have been a force to be reckoned with since joining the Horsham District league in 2016, being undefeated for that duration.
They defeated Harrow-Balmoral 11.7 (73) to 8.13 (61).
That was the fourth time the Giants have defeated the Southern Roos in 2017.
Some of the standout players for the Giants in the game were rover Coleman Schache, back man Sam Weddell, leader Rory Shannon, Haydn Drew and Zac and Kain Robins.
Everyone played their role on the day.
Giants forward Sam White said every player put in a hard effort on the day.
“We started off well and it set us up pretty well,” he said.
“(Coach Shaun Monohan) said don’t get too overwhelmed, play to our structures and it paid off and got the win.”
White said Guthrie played well for the Southern Roos.
“Everyone just played their role, Coleman killed it,” he said.
Toby Fisher of the Giants said Monohan believed in the players.
“(Monohan said) We have won all year, just trust in each other,” he said.
Fisher said every player did their role.
“I think we kept (Nick) Pekin and (Eric) Guthrie pretty quiet for those first three quarters,” he said.
“They came out in that last quarter pretty strong.”
Giants president Stephen Hallam said he was relieved.
“Harrow-Balmoral are a fantastic side, they were coming home but we held onto our own and got there in the end, it was good. I’m glad there wasn’t another five minutes, timed it to perfection as they say,” he said.
Hallam said there will be celebrations long into the night.
“There is no doubt Harrow-Balmoral held us back from playing our full potential but that’s just two great sides going head-to-head. We were lucky enough to hold onto it,” he said.
Southern Mallee Giants club member Daryl Burdett said it was an unbelievable feeling to win the premiership for a second year in a row.
“To go through two years of not being defeated… It’s a tremendous effort and it’s a great effort to the people who are running the club,” he said.
“When we first came into the league we were unsure what it was going to be like. To come out like we have is just a magnificent effort.
“We’re proud of where we’ve come from and really proud of being involved in this week as well, it’s a great thing.”
The Giants also won the reserve premiership when they defeated Edenhope-Apsley.