Mount Pleasant reaches summit again

A JOURNEY to reach the summit as the Bendigo Bank Heathcote DFNL’s senior footy champion was achieved by Mount Pleasant on Saturday.

Mounts’ co-coaches Adam Baird and Ben Weightman, director of coaching Darren Walsh, players, committee members and fans basked in the glory of a 20th premiership victory.

The Blues turned a one-point deficit at three quarter-time of the match at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve into a 19-point lead by the final siren of the clash with Heathcote.

From a tally of 10 senior grand finals, Baird’s record is now six and four.

“This premiership rates right up there,” said Baird who is best-known as ‘Skinny’ to team-mates, opponents, fans and had previously starred with Golden Square.

“I lost my Dad (Bill) earlier in the year, so that was a tough time for the family.”

Among those watching on Saturday were wife Shannon, their 14-month-old son Hugo, and Adam’s mum, Julie.

A key factor in the coach’s move from Golden Square to be with the Toolleen-based Blues was older brother Travis where they both played in the 2022 grand final.

Now a premiership coach, Baird said the belief and work ethic of the Blues was superb in all four finals.

“I was confident we could overrun and outwork Heathcote in the final quarter, and we did,” he said.

“The fact was we had done so in the previous three finals.”

On the netball court, Mount Pleasant won the 17 and Under and 15 and Under grand finals.

A big day for White Hills included another victory in A Grade netball against Colbinabbin and the reserves football.

North Bendigo won the under-18s footy grand final against Huntly and was runner-up in the reserves.

Elmore took out A Reserve and B Grade netball, and the Harlowe Huntly Hawks won B Reserve on their court.

Lockington Bamawm United Cats captured the 13 and Under netball premiership.