Ararat bounced back after a slow start to claim back-to-back Wimmera Football League under 17 premierships.
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The Rats controlled the play early on but failed to convert in front of goal, allowing the Warriors out to an early nine-point lead at the first break after going goalless in the first term.
"Stawell got out of the blocks early. Having played one game in five weeks we had to blow a few cobwebs away,” Rats coach Matthew Summers said.
“We kicked inaccurately early on which was concerning. Halfway through the first I was a bit nervous but they turned it around by persisting.”
Ararat straightened up slightly in the second term, kicking three goals but missing another five chances to take a one-goal lead into the half-time break.
Stawell was able to stay in the game until the final break, trailing by just 11 points at the final change.
The Rats put their foot down in the final term, showing why they have been the best team in the competition for the past two seasons.
They booted four unanswered goals to run away with a 10.13 (73) to 5.7 (37) victory.
“Ararat just played the perfect grand final with pressure all day,” Stawell coach Brett Graveson said.
“We got ran over in the end so maybe we ran out of legs a little in the heat.”
Graveson said he hopes his side took something out of the game.
“It was a great effort to get into the grand final. I hope the enjoyed the atmosphere of it. It is disappointing not to win but good to get there.
“They were too good for us on the day.”
Matthew Spalding had five goals for the Rats while teammate Ethan Thomas won the medal for best on ground.
Another injury to Stawell young gun Ben Davis marred the game slightly, suffering what has been reported to be a serious leg injury.
“He got tackled and might have broken his ankle. He broke his wrist at the start of the year too so the poor kid can’t catch a break,” Graveson said.
Summers said the win is a big effort from the whole club.
”It is great for the five or six players who missed last year’s game to be a part of it,” he said.
“We had another six miss out this year plus five who played reserves and seniors all year. It is about club first, then team and then individual. They have bought into it all year in a big way.
“I am just really proud of all of them.”
2018 WFL UNDER 17 GRAND FINAL
Ararat: 0.4, 3.9, 6.10, 10.13 (73)
Stawell Warriors: 2.1, 3.3, 5.5, 5.7 (37)
GOALS
Ararat : Matthew Spalding 5, Flynn Jamieson 2, Jeziah Woods 1, Brenton Lewis 1, Ethan Summers 1
Stawell Warriors: Bailey Taylor 2, Nathan Churchill 1, Aiden Graveson 1, Jaxon Turner 1
BEST
Ararat : Matthew Spalding, Ned Bohner, Ethan Thomas, Nathan Sladdin, Kaiden Walton, Jack Driscoll
Stawell Warriors: Zachary Jenkinson, Jakob Salmi, Bailey Taylor, Lachlan Holm, Sam Chatfield, Aidan Hateley