By Tyler Wright
Emerald Football Club’s U19s Premier Division team delivered the club’s first grand final victory in seven years on Sunday 18 September, dominating Upwey Tecoma from the first quarter in a five goal win.
Emerald entered the match after a previous five goal loss to Upwey Tecoma in Round 18, facing the chance of a loss to a team which had beaten the Bombers in every stand-off throughout the season.
Emerald U19s coach Jake Pedder said his team was at an advantage after being forced to play in elimination finals in the weeks prior to the grand final.
“Before the game, [the players] weren’t nervous, they were just excited to play, and I think it did help us being underdogs on the day,” Pedder said.
After coming out firing in the first quarter at Gembrook Recreation Reserve, Emerald managed to get a three goal lead at quarter time, “rattling” the Upwey Tecoma side according to Pedder.
A mixture Ben Cramer’s three important goals, best on ground Luka Pukitis’ forward work, 17 year-old Noah Van Haren performing as a top midfielder all day, and Captain Brodie Walker’s leadership skills, Emerald Emerald secured a 55 to 25 point win against Upwey Tecoma at the final siren.
It was a sweet reward after a tumultuous season.
“We’d go for weeks where we had only 14 or so players available to play, with no bench,” Pedder said.
“Other weeks, we’d have 21 fit and healthy players, but there were some injuries and some 19s got selected for the B team, so we were struggling throughout the year and we couldn’t get the boys to training.
But we persevered throughout the year; throughout the cold parts and the low numbers, and that made us a better team I reckon – it made us bond together better.”
The comradery between players was clear in club rooms post-match, with a loud rendition of the Bombers club song ringing in the years of everyone nearby.
“I know I always had the belief in them that they could win [and] they were talented enough to win the grand final, but I don’t know if they believed it,” Pedder said.
“A lot of those players don’t know how talented – or potentially talented – a lot of them are, so now with this win, it’s a massive achievement; I hope they realise how big it is.”
Now with the first senior flag the Emerald Football Club has won under their belt, Pedder hopes the confidence in the group will build.
“It just shows the potential of those boys coming up, hopefully they stay together through to the Senior Club,” he said.
