Dolphins thrash South Colac to retain premiership

LORNE has won the Colac and District Football League after defeating South Colac in the grand final at Central Reserve on Saturday.

Lorne and South Colac finished equal on points in the home and away season, but on Saturday Lorne were the far better side, winning 10.18 (78) to 2.7 (19).

Speaking to local radio, Lorne captain Sean Smartt said he was elated with the side’s performance.

“When you put the runs on the board early you can definitely enjoy it a bit more.

“We had a big focus just to keep the pressure up all day and be relentless, I think we executed the plan really well.”

The win sees Lorne retain the premiership, after they defeated Birregurra in last year’s grand final.

Lorne has progressed a lot over the past few years. In 2014, they finished second last with only a single win.

But they have finished third or higher the past four seasons, have made the grand final in the past three seasons, and have now won it twice in a row.

They never let their opposition into the contest, with South Colac only scoring their first goal of the game in the final quarter.

Coach and player Jackson Hollmer kicked two goals for Lorne and was named their best performer on the day

He said he was delighted the side delivered on their early promise.

“We knew we had a good list at the start of the year.

“I knew we’d be thereabouts, but you never know what happens in grand finals and the boys came out today and absolutely smashed it.”

Sean Holroyd was named the second best, after having been named the best when the two sides met in the semi-final a fortnight ago.
That semi-final had been much closer, as Lorne had won 11.6 (72) to 8.6 (54).

South Colac had also shown they could match Lorne in the fourth round of the season, when they won 11.10 (76) to 10.7 (67).

Yet Lorne hit their best form towards the end of the season, with the grand final their eighth consecutive win.

The last team to defeat them was Apollo Bay, who only managed to do so by a single point.

Lorne’s Under 18 side also reached the grand final, but were beaten by Irrewarra Beeac.