Sport
14 September, 2024
Back-to-back perfect seasons for the Harrow Balmoral Southern Roos
Harrow Balmoral beat Noradjuha Quantong in the HDFNL grand final.
The Harrow Balmoral Southern Roos have capped off their second consecutive unbeaten HDFNL senior football season with another premiership cup.
The Southern Roos beat Noradjuha Quantong 7.10 (52) - 5.9 (39) in the grand final at Stawell's North Park.
Harrow Balmoral senior football coach Jai Thompson said it feels 'bloody fantastic' to claim his second cup for the Southern Roos.
"I'm so proud, they're such a great bunch of blokes," Thompson said.
"[Noradjuha Quantong] gave us everything, we knew they wanted to fight.
"For our boys to be able to hold on when we haven't had that really big challenge throughout the season ... that's probably what I'm most proud of."
Harrow Balmoral shot out to a strong lead, kicking with the wind in the opening quarter the Southern Roos took to the first break 22 points ahead after keeping Noradjuha Quantong goalless through the term.
Kicking against the wind in the second term, Harrow Balmoral kept the pressure high.
"First and second quarter we had a bit of our running game going," said Thompson.
"We knew they were going to come out hot and we wanted to match their momentum.
"I thought we rebounded the ball really well when they had an attack, we didn't let the ball out of our forward 50 often."
"That was how we got a bit of a run on."
After half time, Noradjuha Quantong trailed by 27 but took control of the contest.
The Bombers spent a lot of time late in the term pushing forward and pressuring Harrow Balmoral's defence.
But, the blue and white's backs held strong.
"Clinton Robinson at fullback, he was just unbelievable all day, Stuart McFarlane on Judah Hobbs was awesome, and [Josh Dawson] was just floating across the back, " Thompson said.
"They've been a fantastic defensive group the whole year, and they've really gelled together as a group.
"Today they were just phenomenal, when the ball was coming in hot and we were under pressure they just stood up for us."
Harrow Balmoral senior player, and former coach Nick Pekin was named best on ground.
"I'm in a bit of shock actually, its fairly ecstatic to see the way we ground out," Pekin said.
"[Noradjuha Quantong] kept in the game, and it probably wasn't the best spectator footy, but I'm still in awe of what the group has achieved."
Pekin kicked three goals and was named alongside Thompson, Robinson, Dawson, Peter Staude and Matt Jones as his side's best.
But, it was Pekin who was judged to be best on ground.
"Personally I didn't think I did [have a strong game]," Pekin said.
"I actually nearly thought I'd kicked us out of it because I missed those goals and gave away a couple of silly free kicks.
"But it was all about the team, you're only as good as the footy that you get to delivered."