Tara Murray
Laurimar coach Jimmy Atkins has vowed his side will return next year bigger and better after the Power lost the Northern Football League division 3 grand final.
Playing in their first senior grand final, the Power fell short against a determined South Morang side.
The Lions were playing in their third grand final in four seasons, having made at least the preliminary finals every season since 2014.
It was the Power which had the better start to the game, leading by 14 points at quarter time despite having less scoring shots.
Lions coach Gary Hall said the Power are usually a fast starting team and they had to weather the storm.
The Lions got going in the second quarter and hit the front by half time, leading by four points.
Both sides hit the scoreboard in the third quarter, with the Lions increasing their lead to 15 points at the final break.
The Lions knew early in the last quarter that the premiership was finally theirs, but the Power didn’t give up, kicking a couple of late goals.
The Lions were far enough ahead to claim the 13.10 (88)-11.7 (73) win.
For the Power, Jacson Cecil kicked four goals
Ethan Bateman was named their best along with Luke Wilson, Nathan Andrews and Jake Richards.
Atkins said they were proud of the group and how they had played this year.
He admits they were slightly overawed by the moment.
“We’re disappointed and it’s slightly upsetting not to get the premiership,” he said.
“We’ve got around everyone the last couple of days and everyone is keen to go again.”
Atkins said they started the game well, before a period of 10-20 minutes let them down. He said that you can’t do that in finals.
While disappointed, Atkins knows there’s still a lot of positives to come from the season.
“We are a very young group,” he said. “We had two under-17s and seven or eight under-19s play. We look to play our own kids and there’s plenty of talented kids coming through.
On the Laurimar Facebook page the club thanked all the hard work of the coaches and committee.
They also thanked the fans and playing group.
“The fans say no more,” the post said. “I know I speak for all the coaches and players when I say it was amazing to see so much teal and black on the hill and around the ground.”
The season isn’t over for the Power with its under-19s playing Banyule in the under-19 division 2 grand final on Saturday.
With the club’s under-17s and under-16s both making preliminary finals, Atkins said the future is bright at the club.
