Almanac (Local) Footy: South Colac Under 14.5 Premiers & Champions

 

 

 

 

 

Premiers and champions. The South Colac Under 14.5 football team had a magnificent 2024. A special premiership, the end result of four years of growth and hard work.

 

 

I haven’t written about the South Colac juniors since early 2021. Oldest son Gavin made his debut in Round 1 for the Under 14.5s as told HERE. The team had only 16 players and were flogged that day. And for most other days that season. Second son Josh became the team’s 17th player, making his debut in Round 3 at 10 years old as told HERE. The team ended up with 20 players by the end of the season, having 1 win in the rain at Gellibrand. The club tried to get Under 18s up but couldn’t muster the numbers. Our junior program was at rock bottom.

Gavin won the 2021 best and fairest, presented with his award outdoors on the club oval, socially distanced. He was leading goal kicker too with 7, quite rightly a trophy wasn’t given. The perpetual Under 14.5 Best & Fairest trophy hadn’t resurfaced in those Covid times. Despite our results and the lack of Under 18s, we could see the talent was there, even if it was very young.

 

 

A massive highlight of 2021 was the boys coach, and club legend, Adam McNamara, playing his 300th senior game for South Colac. We were in between Covid restrictrictions, a massive crowd in attendance at ‘Macca’s’ beloved Elliminyt Recreation Reserve against Apollo Bay. The great man slotted a goal from 40 out in front of the social rooms in the second quarter and played well in South’s 19-point win. It was to be his last appearance at Senior level, he remains the only South Colac player to reach 300 Senior games. There were no finals in 2021, Alvie and South Colac were clearly the two best Senior teams that year, it’s a pity we never got to see how that battle would have played out.

 

Still no South Colac Under 18s in 2022 despite the club’s best efforts. I continued my team manager and runner roles with the Under 14.5s that commenced in 2021.

 

 

After a slow start to the year and seeing that many of our players needed work on their skills, we offered up optional Tuesday night training, something not done by clubs at Under 14.5 level in the Colac & District FNL. The immediate take up blew us away, and has continued ever since. In 2024 it was rare for our Tuesday numbers to dip below 20. The wins started to come. Our first big win was over Colac Imperials at their ground. Much joy as the song was sung that day. But no win was better than the 4-point win out at Birregurra, two late goals in the last 70 seconds resulting in the first win in that age group for years over Birregurra. The boys singing the song and jumping on the timber floorboards of the away rooms was as loud a celebration as you’d hear. That day remains one of my very favourite and most memorable junior wins for the boys. We finished 6th, plenty of green shoots in 2022. The Seniors won a memorable Grand Final, their first flag in 20 years, which I wrote about HERE in October of that year.

 

 

 

The Kelvin Reynolds Memorial Trophy re-emerged for the Under 14.5 best and fairest, named after my late grandfather, who joined the club as coach in 1955, won the 1962 Senior best and fairest and served at various times as President, Secretary, Treasurer and a long stint as junior coach. Gavin made it back to back wins, wonderful to see his name on Kelvin’s trophy twice. He again led the goal kickers with 21, this time also getting a trophy for that. Josh was a permanent forward pocket and slotted several through for the year. This photo below, after a Gavin goal with Josh in the background, is framed on our kitchen wall.

 

 

 

 

Our junior program ramped up in 2023. The Under 18s returned, great for us as Gavin had aged out of the Under 14.5s. The Colac Tigers (playing in the region’s premier competition, the Geelong Football League) couldn’t get an Under 18 team up, some of their remaining players joined and helped round out our Under 18 team. Gav had a good season, playing well on the wing or at half forward as one of the youngest in the team, including a 5 goal performance at Alvie. The Under 18s made it to the Preliminary Final, a wonderful achievement in their first year back. The Under 14.5s went to the next level, a strong season, finishing third. Josh moved to half forward and had a strong year, finishing second in the goalkicking. Again I continued as the Under 14.5 team manager and runner. I also was team manager for our reformed Under 18s. And just to make a day of it, I agreed to be the Senior team manager too when asked. Looking back, it was tough doing the Under 18 team manager role straight after the Under 14.5s. But I bloody loved doing the Senior role. To be involved in the inner sanctum and to get to know the Senior players better was fantastic. Sadly the Seniors finished 6th in an injury riddled season, missing the finals for the first time in more than a dozen years.

Plenty of expectation for the 2024 season. The Under 18s were inconsistent. Their best was elite, a mid-season run of great footy gets hopes up but they ultimately fall short, losing the First Semi-Final to finish fourth. Gavin has some injury niggles so misses some games, but plays well when he does play. He still has two years at Under 18 level. I continue as Under 14.5 team manager and runner for a fourth season. Thankfully, a new team manager is found for the Under 18s. I’m the team manager of the Seniors again under new coach Brad Surkitt. Brad leads the team back into finals action and a fourth placed finish. We beat everyone below us and no-one above us despite some close finishes against those top teams. Brad wins the league best & fairest, the Mahoney Medal, South Colac’s first win in this award since 2003. The Reserves also make the finals, as does all of the club’s netball teams barring the Under 13 girls.

 

 

The Under 14.5s went into 2024 with high expectations. But none of us expected the team to be quite as dominant as they turned out to be. Undefeated throughout the home and away season, finishing with a percentage of exactly 1900. A far cry from second bottom with a percentage of 20 in 2021. The players we knew had talent all blossomed. The hard work, the twice a week training, the commitment to getting better, had all led to the team we had become.

The development of co coaches Macca and ‘JK’ (John Kelly) over the four years was evident. The team now having expectations saw a more serious side to their coaching. Training drills became more full on. In addition to the coaches, there was a strong backing crew of assistants at each training. Myself, my uncle Dean Reynolds, Jimmy Fitzpatrick and Ashley Borch would always be there helping out. This was a team that never lacked for support. Anything we wanted, the club was happy to provide. Macca liked the look of a specialist junior kicking coach from Sydney. He was booked and delivered a great session that helped not only the players but the coaches too.

 

 

 

So many players stood up during the home and away season. Onballer Jarryn Baker, tough as nails and can just run and run, had a magnificent season, finishing 3rd in the league best & fairest. Not many work harder at their game than Jarryn. Angus ‘Mango’ Wade had a great season, winning the league goalkicking with 55, playing at both full-forward and centre half-forward with the odd stint on the ball. Half-forward flankers Reece Charles and Josh Reynolds finished equal second for the league with 46 goals apiece. The co-captains, Tanner McNamara at centre half-back and ruck rover Jordan Kelly, were superb in their roles. Harry McConachy played with flair off half-back all year. Dallas Duve was a strong presence at both full-forward and full-back. Chase Hallam and Harvey Parker were the hard nuts in defence. Harper Van Doorn and Archie ‘The Wizard’ Martin were livewires in the forward pockets. Jonah D’Amore provided grunt and skill in any position, but found a niche in the centre.

 

 

 

With such a strong season, we still had to get it done in the finals. A 103-point win over second place Western Eagles missing a couple of key players in Round 18 meant nothing heading into the Second Semi-Final. Despite a 4 goal to none first quarter, we were made to work very hard for our 30-point win, 7-9-51 to 3-3-21. It was the hitout we needed.

Finishing first and winning the Second Semi-Final in a final five means only one game in 4 weeks leading up to the Grand Final. The two weeks leading up to the decider felt like an eternity. We continued our normal Tuesday/Thursday training. On Preliminary Final day we put on a breakfast at the club for the boys, watched a photo montage of their season, then walked as a group together to the Central Reserve to watch Western Eagles take on Apollo Bay for a Grand Final spot. Apollo Bay, with huge support in the stands, were the Cinderella story, finishing 5th and now in a Prelim. They kicked the first two goals with the wind, their supporters were up and about and it was game on. The Eagles clawed their way back and eventually took charge despite it remaining a good contest. For a third game in a row, we would be taking on the Irrewillipe-based club (a merger of Irrewillipe and Pirron Yallock in the 1990s), this time for the ultimate prize.

 

 

Everyone is there early on Grand Final day. Music that is very much of the Under 14.5 generation is playing through their speaker in the rooms. The wind is as prevalent as it has been all finals series at the Central Reserve. We run out probably at least 5 minutes too early. Leeane, mother of back pocket Harvey, has organised a wonderful banner for the boys to run through.

 

 

 

National anthem. I find myself at the grandstand end, next to Josh.

 

 

 

The game is frantic early. The first minutes are concentrated in the South Colac forward line. The footy spills out from a ball up to Josh, who dribbles one through from 15 metres out, breaking to the left as is his trade in his summer game. The Eagles almost immediately match our goal after a 50 metre penalty for moving on the mark. Another downfield free sees a second Eagles goal and we are behind.

 

 

 

First year, but top age player Eamen Heinze comes off the bench into the ruck. His impact is immediate. We goal again soon after via full-forward Dallas Duve. We go into quarter time a point down, Eagles 2-1-13 to our 2 goals straight.

 

 

 

The second quarter starts with a free kick to Eamen Heinze, who kicks to Josh who kicks to the top of the square where the ball spills out to Reece Charles in the pocket who snaps truly. Reece is a truly exciting footballer to watch, explosive pace, exquisite skills. There is a resemblance to early Chris Judd at West Coast, ‘little Juddy’ is a term we have used in relation to Reece. After some play in the Eagles forward line, the ball goes back up to the South Colac forward line, Dallas Duve grabs the ball, pushes everyone away, handballs to Reece Charles who kicks his second. Another good chain of play sees Reece mark 30 out and kick his third in 5 minutes. Out to a 17-point lead. Shortly after, Jarryn Baker’s younger but no less talented brother Bodhi, who also played Under 12s this year, roves perfectly and snaps another goal. A Bodhi Baker pass minutes later to Reece Charles sees ‘little Juddy’ kick his fourth for the quarter. South Colac 7-0-42 to Eagles 2-1-13 at half-time.

 

 

 

The Eagles goal early in the third term from a free. We pepper the goals but can’t land a major. The Eagles goal from another free. It’s an ugly, fumbly quarter of football. 7-4-46 to 4-1-25 at the last change, plenty of nerves in the South Colac camp at least.

 

Some more Reece Charles dash sees the number 22 kick long to a forward contest early in the final term from which Josh crumbs and goals. A passage of play ends with ‘The Wizard’, Archie Martin, kicking the sealer. We know we are home. It’s time to make sure every kid gets a run. With 28 for most of the season it’s been tough, but Macca and JK have given all the kids a really good run all year. Obviously tougher in two hard fought finals. The support from the parents and the buy-in from the kids has been fantastic. The Eagles get another goal from a free. The final minutes take an eternity to play out as the ball goes from one end to the other. Jonah D’Amore has the ball in hand within range as the siren sounds. He doesn’t make the distance but it doesn’t matter. The premiership has been won, a perfect season.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There’s hugs and tears on the sideline between the coaching staff, trainers and supporters rushing on to the ground. The best team all year doesn’t always win and the Eagles made us work very hard in two finals. Presentations happen quickly, President Mick Baker presents all the boys with their medals. Macca tears up in his speech.

 

 

 

The rooms are packed with South supporters. The song is sung loudly. Macca and JK both speak. Macca again is very emotional. It feels like there aren’t many dry eyes in the room when he speaks. The author’s eyes included. I love being in the rooms after any win. It’s a magnificent place to be after a premiership win. To hug your son with a medal around his neck in the rooms is an incredible moment.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a huge night back at the clubrooms. The Under 17 netballers, who finished top, lost the Second Semi and had to win the Prelim, had a superb win in their decider. The D Grade and C Grade netballers unfortunately lost their grand finals. The two premiership teams get introduced to the crowd one by one. It’s a wonderful night of celebration for all families involved.

 

 

 

 

 

On the Sunday we are back at the club for a BBQ. We watch the Under 14.5 grand final again on the big screen. Every good bit of play is applauded. We pause and rewind every decision we feel went against us for another look. It’s a relaxed day soaking it all up. Being together as a club.

 

Jarryn Baker makes it back to back Kelvin Reynolds Memorial Trophy wins as Under 14.5 best & fairest. I speak on behalf of the Reynolds family in presenting the award to him, and mention that Jarryn would be exactly the type of player Kelvin would have loved. Josh finishes 5th in the best & fairest and 3rd in the goalkicking. No individual trophies but got what he wanted on grand final day. The age group has a slight change next year, going from Under 14.5 to Under 15. Jarryn, Josh and all but 5 players will remain at Under 15 level in 2025.

 

 

 

It has been the most remarkable of 4-year journeys. From a junior program that was rock bottom, to the excitement of building a program, to winning a flag and reigniting our Under 18s. It’s been a massive privilege to be involved and a time I’ll never forget. We’ve made wonderful friendships at South Colac. A truly welcoming atmosphere led by President Mick Baker, a fantastic administrator and a man with a permanent smile on his face. The club will readily admit they let the junior program slide in the 2010s after a 20-year dominant period before that. None of what has happened now will be taken for granted.

Most of all, I’m thrilled for the great man Adam McNamara. He’s given it his all and been a massive part of rejuvenating the clubs junior program. His coaching has developed enormously. Can only see great things ahead for him as a coach and mentor. Macca is right at the top of the tree of people I’ve been involved with in sport.

Work begins on next season. Can’t wait to see what 2025 holds for our progressive, fun, family club. Go South!

 

 

 

SOUTH COLAC 2.0 7.0 7.4 9.5 (59)
WESTERN EAGLES 2.1 2.1 4.1 5.2 (32)

GOALS:
SOUTH COLAC: Reece Charles 4, Josh Reynolds 2, Dallas Duve 1, Bodhi Baker 1, Archie Martin 1
WESTERN EAGLES: Brady Hickey 1, Riley Hayes 1, Ingemar Borrack 1, Harper Lloyd 1, Blake Wales 1

BEST:
SOUTH COLAC: Reece Charles, Eamen Heinze, Jarryn Baker, Josh Reynolds, Harvey Parker, Chase Hallam, Dallas Duve
WESTERN EAGLES: Ingemar Borrack, Angus Borgia, Harper Lloyd, Kayleb Bartlett, Beau Genua, Nate Cook

 

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