Cowwarr ends Wildcats’ reign with grand final triump

COWWARR confirmed its standing as the NGFNL’s leading side with an impressive 35-point victory over reigning premier Woodside in the senior grand final.

After trailing at quarter-time, Cowwarr took its game to another level to win 19.8 (122) to 13.9 (87), denying the Wildcats a third consecutive premiership.

Woodside made the brighter start, kicking four goals in the opening term to establish a nine-point advantage, 4.3 (27) to 3.0 (18).

However, the complexion of the contest changed dramatically during the second quarter.

Cowwarr produced a devastating eight-goal term, with Keenan Hughes, Shannen Lange, Caleb Michie and Lachlan Sykes among those hitting the scoreboard. Woodside managed three goals for the quarter but could not contain Cowwarr’s attacking surge.

By half-time, Cowwarr had turned the nine-point deficit into a 24-point turnaround, leading 11.4 (70) to 7.4 (46).

The Wildcats needed a strong response after the main break and continued to fight, with Hudson Holmes, Jeremy Morgan and Liam Hard providing important goals.

However, Cowwarr remained composed and answered each challenge. Four third-quarter goals extended its lead to 28 points at the final change, 15.4 (94) to 10.6 (66).

Woodside refused to surrender and consecutive goals from Holmes and Hard early in the last quarter reduced the margin to 16 points, briefly giving the Wildcats hope of mounting a comeback.

Cowwarr steadied through a goal to Jack Johnstone before again taking control. Four final-quarter goals carried the minor premier to a deserved victory and brought Woodside’s two-year reign as senior champion to an end.

Lange was named Cowwarr’s best and was awarded the League Best on Ground award, while Hughes was a constant threat in attack. Tristen Waack, Johnstone, Ben Coffey and Haydn Hector also played important roles in the premiership victory.

Jeremy Morgan led Woodside’s efforts, with Joh Fythe, Robert Michaelides, Luke Johnson, Rowan Missen and Ryan Foat also among the Wildcats’ best.

Holmes, Hard and Brody Stainer kicked three goals each for Woodside, while Morgan, Zac Richards, Cameron Whiteoak and Johnson added one apiece.

Woodside entered the grand final without one of its most consistent performers, Adam Janssen, who suffered a serious eye injury in a workplace accident during the week.

Daniel Missen, Thomas King and Mike Stockdale returned after dealing with soft-tissue injuries during the final’s series. King and Missen completed the match, but Stockdale spent considerable time on the sidelines.

Cowwarr, by contrast, appeared fit, settled and ready for the occasion after building towards the opportunity throughout the season.

Woodside playing coach Hudson Holmes said the late loss of Janssen reflected a season in which the Wildcats struggled to field a settled side.

“Losing Adam during the week in a workplace accident was probably a reflection of our season — we just never really had a consistent run with our teams,” Holmes said.

“We gave it a crack and just fell short. There is no shame in our loss, both for the seniors and reserves.”

While Woodside’s pursuit of a premiership hat-trick ended in disappointment, grand final day belonged to Cowwarr, which turned an outstanding home-and-away campaign into the club’s ultimate prize.