The memorable passage of play came during the early minutes of the final quarter — with his side up by 10 points — and it undoubtedly sealed the Kyabram District League premiership for the Wombats.
It was a moment in the grand final win over Murchison-Toolamba that will live on in the memories of Lancaster supporters for years to come.
The play started with 2011 premiership player Rikki Busch, when he was tucked up on the boundary line in front of the Parsons Pavillion at Mooroopna and he laid his foot into the ball off the deck.
With copious amounts of water, grass and mud to roll through, the yellow ball spun and swirled its way to the open goal-square.
For a split moment in time, as cheers rang out from the Lancaster faithful, the ball looked destined to slide through for a goal — until a Murchison-Toolamba defender slid into frame.
But the cheers grew as Cerrone appeared out of nowhere, like champion Group One sprinter Chautauqua would often descend from the clouds.
Fate would have it that Cerrone would be first to the uncontested ball and the hometown hero did his best Leo Messi strike to deliver his beloved Wombats premiership glory.
“Unbelievable feeling. It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s just an unreal feeling,” Cerrone said after the match.
“I’d ran about 100m to get to the ball, I thought it might have gone in, but then I realised it was slowing up. Luckily I was able to get boot to it.”
The premiership win capped a year that saw the long-time Wombat try his hand at a higher level with Kyabram.
But it wasn’t to be at the Bombers and Cerrone decided the best place to be was back in familiar territory and with his long-time teammates.
“I’ve played pretty much all my footy out here at Lanky, I’ve been here for 10 years now,” he said.
“This year was my first crack at playing GVL and things just didn’t work out, so I came back mid-season. I’ve got my kids out here and it’s just the best club. I love it here.”
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