High work rate a key to Mounts charge to glory

MOUNT Pleasant’s premiership-winning coach Adam Baird said self-belief and work rate were key factors in winning this year’s Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL senior footy cup.

The Toolleen-based Blues capped an incredible run from an elimination final to defeat Heathcote in the grand final at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve.

After being down by three goals early in the contest, Mount Pleasant was within a point of the Saints going into the final quarter before hundreds of fans.

In less than 15 minutes, Mounts raced to a four-goal lead and went on to record a 79-60 victory in a classic contest.

A year earlier the Blues were runners-up to Lockington Bamawm United.

“To win this grand final means so much,” Baird said of the club’s 20th senior premiership.

The Blues’ run began by beating Leitchville Gunbower in the elimination final and was followed by wins against North Bendigo and White Hills.

Baird said the Blues were not fazed by the challenge of a must-win scenario across four consecutive weekends.

“This is a special group. There is a lot of talent in this team, but just as importantly was their workrate in all of the finals matches,” he said.

Mounts also played all of the finals series without gun forward and co-coach Ben Weightman because of a back injury.

“Each game we had a few players step up to kick multiple goals. It was a case of what we had on the field, not what we hadn’t,” Baird said of Mount Pleasant’s mindset.

The Blues also celebrated double premiership success on the netball court as the 17-under and 15-under teams were victorious by margins of two and six goals.

Just as the footy team had done, the Blues had fought their way from an elimination final to be the 17-and-under champions.