Two Uni sides took home premierships on a beautiful spring day in Joondalup on Saturday. The A-Reserves and A-Colts capped off brilliant seasons with two dominant displays of Amateur footy in perfect conditions. The premiers join the Pirates who took home the C4 League flag the previous week against Maddington, the side’s first premiership since 2020.

For the Colts it has only been one season between drinks, with the last premiership coming in 2022. Saturday’s flag was the 34th A-Colts premiership since 1960, a remarkable 53% winning record.

Uni’s longest active premiership drought was broken on Saturday by the A-Reserves who had waited eight long years between drinks… The pressure now falls on the Peacocks who haven’t been able to taste September glory since their first year in 2018.

A-Colts

University 7.9 51 def North Beach 5.2 32
Best on Ground: Kalib Dempster-Park
Report by Oscar Morcombe

The A-Colts enjoyed a year that will go down as one of the most dominant seasons by an A-Colts team to date. The team went through to finals with a 16-1-1 record, with the only loss and draw coming at the hands of Curtin Uni Wesley, a team that then went on to miss finals altogether.

The season began with a changing of the guard with premiership-winning coach Alex Donaldson stepping down from the role after four very accomplished seasons. Oscar Morcombe stepped in as the new head coach with Cameron Wilson, Nick Cooley and Charlie Carrington-Jones his sidekicks. With many graduating colts stepping up to seniors, the pre-season was filled with uncertainty. After making a prelim in the previous year, this coaching squad had big shoes to fill.

The team began like a house on fire, winning six games straight before their first mulligan of the year came in the form of a draw to Curtin Uni Wesley. The much-despised uni break meant a large chunk of the squad was seen perusing the coastlines of various eastern European countries and not kicking the pigskin around for the A-Colts. With assistant coach Cameron Wilson leading the charge overseas, the other coaches stepped up to guide the team through this tricky period relatively unscathed.

Perhaps the A-Colt’s biggest win of the year came in Round 11 against 2nd-placed North Beach. In the depths of uni break, University ran out with only 19 fit players to begin the match. A horrific ankle injury to Oscar Martella early in the second quarter gave Morcombe zero fit players to rotate through the bench. A misplaced closed fist by our co-captain Tom Turkich saw him sent off the ground halfway through the second quarter. Another of our leaders Ted Barrass then thought it a good idea to get sent off as well. At halftime the University boys were down by 10 points and were forced to play 16 vs 18 for the second half. A monumental effort in the final two quarters saw Uni kick five unanswered goals to run away 30-point winners.

The first loss of the year came in Round 15 when University travelled to South Oval to face off against the only team they were yet to defeat. Ultimately, a mix of ill-discipline and poor defensive coverage meant Curtin Uni Wesely handed Uni their first and only defeat of the year. This loss marked a very strong change in attitude within the University camp, a new hunger and desire to be the best was born from this loss and ultimately propelled them to win the premiership.

Finishing four games clear on top of the ladder, the A-Colts only needed to win two games in September to go on and win the flag. They dealt with North Beach in the Qualifying Final by 62 points to propel them straight into the Grand Final.

The A-Colts faced off against North Beach in the last game of the year. North Beach got off to a flying start, kicking two quick goals in the first five minutes. From then on, University turned the tide, kicking five goals to nil in the second quarter to open up a 22-point lead at the main break. The third quarter saw Uni turn the screws and even with two late goals from North Beach toward the end of the fourth quarter, the University A-Colts secured a 19-point victory to cement themselves as the number one Phil Scott Colts team in 2024.

The focus for the A-Colts in 2024 was making up for 2023’s shortcomings and forging their own legacy. This year saw a ruthless defensive system implemented and without the player’s desire to learn, it wouldn’t have been possible. Their passion for the club and the love and trust they have for each other resulted in a well-connected squad that finished the year with a 18-1-1 stat line.

Some memorable individual moments throughout the year that deserve some recognition:

• Sonny Arangio leading the competition goal kicking in his first Colts year: 38 goals over 19 games
• Will Parker taking a huge hanger in the Grand Final
• Hugo Elliot kicking five goals in a half of football before being banished to full-back
• Matthew Turkich proving himself as the competition’s no. 1 ruckman in his first year
• Kalib Dempster-Park playing the first six games of A-Colts before playing League football for University

A-Reserves

University 10.7 67 def curtin uni wesley 3.4 22
Best on Ground: Pat Donovan
Report by Chris Ninkov

“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”

The Reserves have “Finished the Story” on the weekend with a 45-point win over Curtin Uni Wesley out at Pentanet Stadium and captured the clubs first reserves flag since 2016. In what can be best described as a perfect day for football the boys were almost flawless in their execution and played 4 quarters against a very strong Curtin outfit.

The story of this Reserves group can be traced back to the end of the 2023 season when both the A Colts and Ressies were knocked out in the Preliminary Final. With this disappointment carrying over into the new season there has been an added motivation to atone for those losses and to capture a flag that eluded both groups.

Our season went through peaks and troughs starting by winning 10 straight before dropping the next 3 in peak mid-season. Following the difficult losses the group made a conscious effort to pick itself ‘off the canvas’ and get the season back on track. Following the third loss to Lawley, we won 4 out of our last 5 (with the 1 loss being to Curtin in a scrappy affair) which gave us some momentum coming into finals.

In our first final against Trinity Aquinas, we narrowly scrapped over the line despite a late surge from TAs and in the second final we fought tooth and nail to book ourselves a spot in the Grand Final knocking over Curtin. Acknowledging this context we came into the Grand Final with a lot of confidence and a strong belief that if we played our best footy we’d be difficult to stop.

To the day itself, it was a perfect afternoon for football with a breeze going towards the northerly end. Running out to a group of Colts after their successes was a massive lift and provided an added incentive to make the day particularly special. Led by captain Jacob Orr we won the toss to kick with the breeze to start the day.

This decision paid absolute dividends with a 4-goal to 0 blitz at the start setting the tone. Our midfield immediately got to work with the ageless wonder Pat Don giving our mids constant supply. Dwayne Lake, Chaz Flint, Cass King and Nick Cooley were just switched on from the get-go. Cools coming in off an ankle injury proved particularly damaging when going forward.

At either ends of the ground, the backs were resistant, Andrew Barber and William Lowson just winning their one-on-one matchups (a theme that remained the same throughout the day). The forwards proved potent with the evergreen Sean Trombetta getting us on the scorer’s sheet with the first one, Cooley followed this with a classy finish on the snap, Coops jailed one from 70.54 metres (as per Google Maps) and Sam Southern finished a goal on a free kick. We went into the quarter-time break with a 26-point lead and were very happy with our start but understood that Wesley would be kicking with it in the second quarter.

Curtin came out with some spring in their step and brought some significant pressure to our back line. Despite this though Callum Kirk and Oliver Haste marshalled the troops excellently and just repelled the dangerous entries. Despite these entries, we had an opportunity to spread out of our backline, Hamish Dickins being the chief distributor. We did generate opportunities through the work of Jack Mentink and Charlie Carrington-Jones who found themselves in space on the wider Pentanet Stadium pastures. Whilst it didn’t ultimately result in scoreboard pressure it took some sting out of the game with Con Angelkov and Henry Alforque forcing several repeat stoppages. We went into the halftime break with a 15-point lead and understood that the next quarter could dictate the remaining part of the game.

Despite going towards the goal-scoring end it was Wesley who came out the better team to start the third. Noticeably their energy and tackling pressure lifted and was a direct challenge to our group. Following an errant kick out to the far side wing, Jack Cooper was able to win a major contest and link up with Chaz Flint. Jack continued gut running forward and took a mark about 50 out on the junction. Jack proceeded to go back and kick a massive goal which began turning momentum our way. It was several moments of brilliance on Jacks part and was significant in the context of this game.

 

For the next few minutes, the game was played in our half with little to no reward. However, despite being injured earlier in the quarter Conor Brogan started to insert himself into the contest with a couple of big moments. None so more important than his lace-out to Ben Culloton on the lead. Jam Jam took the mark and proceeded to go back and absolutely flush it. We added another couple of late ones through Leighton Howard “Albino forward” (taking a mark off the back shoulder) and Sean Trombetta. The second of these goals came from the forward pressure of Jack Cooper and just added to what was an overall brilliant game. We carried a 38-point lead going into the last quarter and understood it was still all to play for.

Wesley started the last quarter in a really strong matter and created multiple opportunities through their aggressive ball movement, but time and again the backs held up with Jacko Dring being stubborn in multiple instances. We began wrestling the game back on our terms and gained ascendency in the midfield with Chaz, Lakey and Southo just being strong around the contest. This re-ascendency led to Sean Trombetta kicking his third and later in the quarter Leighton adding a second to his tally.

We ultimately ran out 45-point winners on a truly memorable day. Patrick Donovan was awarded the best on the ground for his monstrous game in the ruck – he is truly the ageless wonder and as clutch a performer on the big stage as anyone in the history of the club.

Overall, it was an excellent display for a team that had to persist throughout the year. The story of this group though isn’t the fact it won the premiership, it’s a group that remained connected despite having used 71 different players throughout the season. The flag is a testament to the exciting wave of talent coming through and should only continue to excite the club about the direction we’re heading.

From this writer some thankyous. Firstly, to the coaches across the entire A stream: Weaps, Kurt, Winners and Jakey you all played your hand having been involved directly coaching every one of the 22 players that ran out for the Ressies. Weaps in particular for his mountain of work, his coaching style and the fact that he remained so involved (coaching throughout the finals) is something I know all the boys were very appreciative of.

To the 2s coaches Ben Culloton, Andrew Diamond, Greg Shine and Sammy Gelavis I thoroughly enjoyed working with each of you. Ben was significant earlier in the year coaching the backs, Diamo through his work with an ever-changing mids group, Shiney with his forwards and Sammy on the magnets. To deal with my constant messaging at all hours is very much appreciated and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to work with.

To my leadership group who have remained consistent over the 2 years: Orry, Kuta, Quincey, Dicko and CJ, you have been great to work with and I remain appreciative for all the feedback and support you have provided.

To Oscar Morcombe and his Colts, congratulations on bringing home another Colts flag. Oscar has done an incredible job with this group, and he should be immensely proud of what he has achieved in his first year as coach. The way he has bought into the club in only his second year here is a true credit to his character and I remain very excited for the future.

Finally, to the playing group (and not just the 22 that ran out on the day), the Ressies is a difficult grade to win given your primary responsibility remains to support A Grade. To win a flag in this grade you need a squad mentality and that was so evident in the people’s willingness to come to training and stay involved. You guys have stuck fat through this season and it’s a testament to you as people.

Ultimately, the disappointment of 12 months ago has been atoned for and it is amazing to say that this team was able to “Finish the Story”.

Votes as awarded by the coaches – Jack Cooper (5); Dwayne Lake & Pat Donovan (4); Ben Culloton & Chaz Flint (3);  Sean Trombetta & William Lowson (2); Andrew Barber & Nick Cooley (1).

Goals – Sean Trombetta (3); Jack Cooper & Leighton Howard (2); Nick Cooley, Sam Southern & Ben Culloton (1).