Bates over the moon as Wanderers overrun rivals
“I CAN’T even explain it. I’m shaking, hey”.
They were the words of ecstatic Wanderers coach Simon Bates after seeing his team upset minor premiers Southern Districts 8.12 (60) to 6.4 (40) in the Under-18 Boys’ Grand Final at TIO Stadium yesterday.
The Eagles’ Dillen Brown, 16, was deservedly judged best on ground after he booted three goals.
“We just manned up and did everything we needed to do,” the O’Loughlin Catholic College student said.
The Crocodiles were up by 11 points at quarter-time, but the Muk Muks enjoyed a brilliant second quarter booting three goals to one.
That gave them a five-point lead at the main break, and they were too good from there, also booting two goals to none in a dominant final term.
“I knew we were going to start a bit slow because we had nearly four weeks without playing,” Bates said.
“But I wasn’t too worried about it. I knew we’d get over the top of them at the end.
“I think that (beating Districts by 25 points in the first semi-final) instilled a bit of confidence.”
Bates has enjoyed every minute of his two seasons coaching the young Wanderers group, who reversed their heavy 51-point loss to the Crocs in last year’s decider.
“Once the boys get a bit older, some of them start drinking. We don’t have that problem,” he said.
“All they’re worried about is their footy.
“We were 100 per cent confident (going into yesterday).
“James Box got us going in the second quarter with his drive out of the middle, Tyrrell Lui and Joel Jeffrey were great, and our captain Greg Hunt got a really crucial crumb goal at the end (of the third quarter).”
Crocs coach Matt Cannard told his troops to let the disappointment of losing a grand final spur them on to be better next season.
“They paired up better and we were lazy,” he said.
“They’ve got quick legs, move the ball quick and we were reactive all day.
“I told them ‘let it hurt’. We’ll wake up, reassess and go from there.”
Cory Davis down back, Max Palmer and Izaak Wyatt (three goals) were among Districts’ best.