Deanmill went into Saturday’s LSWFL Retravision Manjimup Reserves Grand Final with a healthy confidence, having seen off Kojonup two weeks earlier by 45 points. In front of their home supporters, on a day when Deanmill as a club shone as outstanding hosts of the Lower South West Football League’s biggest day, Rob Cross and his side had the one chance for the Hawks to turn a celebration of football, into a flag celebration.
Deanmill had also seen off the Cougars in Kojonup in Round 13, by 35 points on that occasion, on their way to an unblemished 2024 campaign that saw a 14 – 0 regular season record, capped with a percentage of 352.99. Jacob Henry and Martin Leggerini had just been minted as the Retravision Manjimup Reserves two best players at the recent LSWFL Awards Night and even with all that on their side, they couldn’t have dreamt just how well the day would go.
The Hawks wasted no time asserting their dominance with a first quarter blitz. At the first change, there weren’t so much warning signs for Kojonup, but critical alarms as the Hawks kicked 6.7.43 for the quarter and kept Kojonup off the scoreboard altogether. Blair Fowler, who had tormented the Cougars with a 5 goal performance in the 2nd Semi Final, again looked dangerous and was one of several avenues to goal for the favourites as the game risked turning into a procession.
To Kojonup’s credit, they pegged the Hawks back in the 2nd Quarter, a far more accountable brand of football and greater connection with their forwards seeing a break even. Both teams kicked 3 goals straight for the quarter, seeing Deanmill head to the long break ahead 9.7.61 to 3.0.18. The 43 point lead remained, but it seemed after the initial hiccup, Kojonup had managed to get the game back on even terms and give themselves a chance of pushing back in the second half.
It wasn’t to be, the Hawks again flexing their muscle in the 3rd Quarter and repeating their 6 goal effort from the opening term, while this time holding the Cougars to a single major. With the margin out to 71 points, courtesy of a 15.8.98 to 4.3.27 scoreline, the faint flame appeared out for Kojonup and the celebratory mood around Deanmill was lifting, the home crowd loving the shift back to near complete control in their favour.
Cougars Captain, Jackson Chomley, implored his charges for one last effort in the final term, with Kojonup’s League side preparing to face their own date with destiny against Boyup Brook and every bit of club momentum important on Grand Final day. It wasn’t to be, the ruthless Hawks banging on another 5 goals to 1 in the final term as a party atmosphere kicked off with the Deanmill faithful for whom the Reserves decider was the day’s main attraction.
Fowler continued to dominate proceedings, with Samuel Tempra and Henry also dictating terms. Jamiane Weazel worked hard for Kojonup, while Tom Coleman and Rhys Baxter were also tireless and Charlie Walton kicked 4 of his team’s 5 goals for the day. Ultimately however, Deanmill had winners in too many parts of the ground as they stormed to the biggest win (99 points) and highest score in the history of LSWFL Reserves Grand Final competition.
Fowler topped off his day as a worthy recipient of The Doc Ryan Medal, adjudged as Best on Ground.
DEANMILL 6.7 9.7 15.8 20.12 (132)
KOJONUP 0.0 3.0 4.3 5.3 (33)
GOALS
Deanmill: Fowler 7, East 3, Edgar 2, Clark 2, Dimitriou 2, Ure, Reeve, Leggerini, Della
Kojonup: Walton 4, Hills
BEST
Deanmill: Fowler, Tempra, Henry, Reeve, Dimitriou, Kilrain
Kojonup: Weazel, Coleman, Baxter, Jones, Hassell
The umpires were supported all season by The Avocado Collective and topped off an outstanding season with their officiating of the decider.
FIELD UMPIRES
Ben Lagana, Todd Carroll, Braydon Ridley
GOAL UMPIRES
Remo Pessotto, Matt Johnston
BOUNDARY UMPIRES
With thanks to Imperials’ Matt Seymour, Zac Hall, Charlie Waidemann, Lachlan Smith
