White Hills marks rare footy feat

THE Winslow White Hills Demons marked a rare footy premiership trifecta in the finale to the Bendigo Bank Heathcote FNL season.

A 71-point victory by the Demons in last Saturday’s grand final against Leitchville Gunbower at Huntly’s Strauch Reserve ended the club’s premiership drought.

The Demons hoisted the cup for the first time since 1988 when they beat Stanhope.

A team jointly coached by Jack Fallon and Kaiden Antonowicz reigned supreme in both finals matches to record victories by 64 and 71 points.

“This is a dream come true,” Fallon said.

It was not the first premiership win for Fallon as he did so with Eaglehawk in 2018.

“This premiership was three years in the making,” Fallon said of taking on a playing coach role, firstly with Jake Pallpratt and then with Kaiden Antonowicz.

White Hills had played just twice since August 3 in the lead-up to the grand final.

“It was incredibly challenging, but the boys kept working hard at training and in matches.”

There were many stand-out performances, but none better than Liam Bartels who kicked eight goals to earn the AFL Victoria medal.

“He’s an absolute gun,” Fallon said.

The victorious co-coach said the smiles on the faces of so many long-time officials, volunteers, supporters and the 21 players he now shares as a White Hills premiership player made it all worthwhile.

The red and black won the reserves and under-18s grand finals by 14 and 13 points.

On the netball court the Allira Holmes and Gabe Richards-coached Elmore made it two A-grade premierships in three years as the Bloods defeated Colbinabbin by 11 goals.

Gun goalshooter Gabe Richards earned the best on court award.

Other premiership-winning teams in the netball action were Huntly, A-reserve; and B-grade; White Hills, B-reserve; Mount Pleasant, 15-and-under, 17-and-under; Leitchville Gunbower, 13-and-under.