A best-on-ground performance from Mason Bright has helped lead the under 12s to their second straight premiership in the AFLCW's junior grand finals on Sunday morning at Bathurst's George Park.
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The under 12s put up a complete performance in their 35 point win against the favoured Dubbo Juniors, but it was one that was earned over the whole four quarters.
While the Blues got the early jump on the Demons, a couple of late goals meant that the Demons were still in touch at quarter time.
The second quarter, where the Baby Blues put three on the board to have a six goal to three lead at half-time would prove to be crucial in the match, with Shema Parafait's ruck work outstanding in giving the Blues the upper hand.
While the second half of the match was more closely fought, and the young Blues perhaps a little over-exuberant as they peppered the goals - though Samone Hyland and Jo Roberts' work forward was also effective - the Blues controlled the game's tempo to ensure victory.
While Bright (two goals) was industrious in the middle and up forward, Cameron Murray (four goals), the run of Cooper Ballard in defence, Parafait's ruck work and Aaron Hall's defensive presence meant it was a day to celebrate for all the Blues.
"Our last four weeks of football have been pretty spectacular," Blues coach Frank Bright said afterwards, paying tribute to 14s coach Marc Hyland for giving the under 12s opportunities throughout the year.
"When they come back to under 12s the confidence is just sky high... Yesterday was probably the best I've seen a group of under 12 kids play."
- UNDER 12s: COWRA BLUES 9.12.66 (Goals: Murray 4, Bright 2, Walford, Hyland, Parafait) def DUBBO JUNIORS 5.1.31 (Goals: Smith 2, Bayliss, Armour, Dunn)
With several players backing up from under 12s game for the under 14s, and another big bodied Orange Tigers outfit, the challenge was too much for a brave Blues team who lost by 39 points.
The Tigers looked threatening from the get-go and while Aaron Hall (two goals) proved to be a useful foil up forward, the Orange players transitioned the ball with impunity, with a two goal lead to the Tigers becoming a four goal lead by half-time and 40 points by three quarter time.
But with Braydon Hyland (two goals), Jake Roberts, Jayden Williams and Kalara Kennewell fighting all day, the Blues continued to be competitive in the last quarter (they won it by a point), leaving coach Marc Hyland proud of his team's efforts.
"The kids that are a part of my team, they don't know how to quit," Hyland said.
"They'll go from first bounce to the last siren... their work ethic is amazing. We knew Orange was going to be a hard team to match if not beat... but [I'm] really proud of how everyone went."
- UNDER 14s: ORANGE TIGERS 12.7.79 (Goals: Brown 7, Bock 3, Coleman, Dwyer) def COWRA BLUES 6.4.40 (Goals: Hall 2, Hyland 2, Roberts, Bright)
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