It was jubilation for Natimuk United faithful when the final siren sounded at North Park on Saturday afternoon.
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After two consecutive elimination final losses, the Rams finally broke through to claim Natimuk's first finals victory since 1997.
In a rematch of last season's elimination final, the Rams turned the tables on an undermanned Jeparit-Rainbow, ending the gallant Storm's season, 12.16 (88) to 6.11 (47).
Natimuk United coach Sam Anson said it was a special win to be a part of.
"I couldn't be more proud of the boys," he said.
"Just to see the faces on the people in the crowd, coming into the clubrooms, all the supporters and everyone there to sing the song ... it was amazing."
Anson led from the front in the contest, showing a fierce tenacity and winning plenty of the ball to help guide his side to a commanding early lead.
The playing-coach showed his courage late in the first term when he ran back with the flight to take a chest-mark at half forward, before finding Will Ridsdale inside 50 who slotted Natimuk United's fourth unanswered goal.
The Rams took a 23 point lead into quarter time, before Jeparit-Rainbow started matching their opponents around the contest and getting their hands on the football.
The Storm kept creating inside-50s in the second quarter, but Natimuk United were far more dangerous going forward.
The Rams were able to slice Jeparit-Rainbow open through the centre of the ground far too easily, providing opportunities for target man Jaydon Stiles, who booted three first half goals.
Jeparit-Rainbow coach Dan Batson admired the Rams clean ball movement.
"Our intensity and effort matched them out there, I just think their skills and their clean delivery into the forward line was the difference on the day," he said.
"It was the difference between us being one or two goals down at three quarter time instead of them having that good buffer."
While Natimuk United were able to open things up, Jeparit-Rainbow's key forward Peter Weir was often outnumbered, with the Rams making sure they had extra numbers in front of the league's second leading goalkicker.
Several key absences began to show for Jeparit-Rainbow, with Ben Warren, Ben Marra, Tom Eichner and Lucas Edelsten all not playing.
The depleted side meant even 600-game veteran Steven Murphy played - his first game of senior football since 2017.
"Injuries are just a part of football," Batson said. "I think Natimuk were missing a couple of their own as well, so we're definitely not going to use that as an excuse."
With Natimuk United holding a 31 point lead at three quarter time, the rain started falling to turn the final quarter into a scrappy affair.
Dark clouds filled the sky, the lights at North Park were turned on, and Jeparit-Rainbow's season came to an end, while Natimuk United were left to celebrate a historic victory.
"I'm just happy to be a part of it, to help swing things around," Anson said.
"The guys are really good to coach, everyone gets on board with everything ... it's just a great place to be at the moment."
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