AT the end of a long and arduous 2023 campaign, Coleraine stands at the pinnacle of the South West District Football League having claimed the premiership off the back of a 9.7 (61) to 4.9 (33) victory over Cavendish at Portland’s Hanlon Park on Saturday.

The first quarter functioned primarily as a feel-out opening 20 minutes, as each side tried to shake the grand final nerves.

Cavendish drew first blood through Will Baulch, however Coleraine quickly responded by striking two blows of their own to take a slim advantage into the second term.

The Maroons were able to get further on top in the ensuing 20 minutes, as although both teams struggled to maintain clean possession in wet and slippery conditions, they were able to make the most of their opportunities.

Meanwhile, Cavendish struggled to get the ball into attack, and when they did Coleraine was able to mop it up more often than not.

Coleraine continued to build on their lead within five minutes of the second half, stretching their lead out to 34 points, before the Bloods finally pegged one back through Kane Uebergang.

That was shortly followed by a strong contested mark from Bloods coach Sam Gibson, who made no mistake with his set shot, to trim the lead back to just over three goals.

Coleraine began to reassert themselves in the early stages of the third quarter but weren’t able to hit the scoreboard until Sam Youngman scored consecutive goals thanks to a passage of play which saw him nail a set shot before Cavendish immediately gave away a free kick.

The Maroons seemed to be home, as they continued to be cleaner with the ball and had made the most of their opportunities, and with the clock ticking down time was not on the side of the Bloods.

Ty Vickery, who was no guarantee to play on Saturday after having to make the trek from Melbourne on the day of the game, was once again influential as he bagged another three goals.

This came in spite of the at times torrential rain which soaked Hanlon Park over the course of both the whole day and the game itself, which caused slippery conditions ill-suited to the Maroons’ attacking brand of football.

Robert Mackinnon was at his productive best and was deservedly announced as the best on ground for the grand final after a fantastic display. 

Coleraine coach Ryan McClure said his side’s ultimate triumph simply came down to them “playing their game” whatever situation presented itself.

“We moved the ball and played good contested footy… we were composed and clean… they got the job done.

“I think the difference was us being able maintain our cleanness with the ball despite the wet conditions, our pressure was right up so that probably contributed to Cavendish’s turnovers.”

McClure gave plenty of credit to the performances Cavendish had served up over the course of the season, saying they had been “chasing” this side for the past couple of years.

“Playing them four times before (Saturday) probably helped us a lot and didn’t help them… we’ve been after them for two years now and they’ve been benchmark.

“You don’t grow, and you don’t develop unless you’ve got someone to chase… the scores were level at 2-all going into this one, there’s not much between the two sides.

“I’m so proud of the way the guys played… sometimes you don’t get to play your brand of football on finals, but we got to go out there showcase the way we play in front of a big crowd.”

McClure said he and the group was especially proud to have been able to put on this performance in front of a “huge” Coleraine following which was out in force at Hanlon Park.

“That’s been the best part of being at Coleraine, for someone like me coming in from the outside and seeing that no matter what we’re doing or in what grade, the Coleraine people get behind us.

“Once we got up and about, you could hear the crowd get behind us.

“We had 15 footballers miss out on a senior or reserves game today… we have to bear in mind that those players played a role on our success.

“The depth and strength of this side is incredible, when you add in a preliminary final berth in the under-17s, Coleraine is in a really good position from a football perspective.

“And we did have those kids that just came off back-to-back under-17s premierships last year who have come in and just won another medal.”

On the status and contribution made by Vickery, McClure said it certainly wasn’t a fait accompli that he would be on the park on Saturday.

“A lot of people and factors had to work together for that to be possible,” he said.

“Robert Mackinnon probably played his best game of the season, he’s been incredible.

“What Harry Armstrong has been able to do for us on the wing is so influential… Ben Deutscher has been invaluable for us as a big body, Cody Deutscher plays an incredible in and under role for us.”