Shepp Notre Bears Gold hoists GMJL under-16 division one flag, crashing past Kyabram

Gold was the name, gold was its game as the home side raced to the flag following a 9.8 (62) to 4.8 (32) win over a plucky Bombers opposition.

If the match had begun half an hour later, inclement weather may have called it off.

Thank the football gods it didn’t.

Before it rained cats and dogs at Deakin, the Bears caused a storm of their own as a dominant four-quarter output handed outgoing under-16 coach Greg Montgomery a parting gift that he was more than happy to receive.

“It wasn’t easy; Ky are a really good side and they were testing conditions at times, but the boys just dug deep and fought it out,” Montgomery said.

“That’s what has got to happen in grand finals.

“I thought they really took it to us in the first quarter, but the second quarter, our midfield started to really dominate which they have pretty much all year.

“And then our backline fed off it and held strong, we got the job done.”

A cagey first few minutes was split by Tyrell Gallivan, Kyabram’s number 21 carving through and splicing a centring kick to allow the Bombers’ fans first crack at making some noise.

The reply came five minutes later by Gold’s Nate Warrin, who chambered a shot and snapped over the shoulder in a ridiculous feat of athleticism.

An early read of the radar suggested this was a hot game of football, as expected.

Gold was breathing down Kyabram’s neck with every phase of play, caging the Bombers inside their defensive arc.

In the second quarter, though, Kyabram gun Jedd Turpin found himself in acres of space and obliged for his 40th goal of the season.

But Shepp Notre — and Alex Whitlock in particular — was hungry.

Whitlock sniffed out some crumbs and directed a left foot snap goalward, leaving the Harold St end marching to the teen sensation’s tune.

Though the young gun was up and about after his first successful kick, a few transitions later he was back telling the home fans what time it was.

Gold was awarded a 50m penalty and Jack Supple went on a tear, eventually seeking out Riley Myers who produced tidy hands on the boundary to find Whitlock who jagged a kick through off the left peg.

No more than 30 seconds into the third term, a slick disposal chain landed in Myers’ hands and he grubbered it home — though he’d been quiet by his standards, this was a statement of his quality.

Whitlock then roosted a kick high, up and over and turned to the fans behind the boards at the Skene St end this time with a “can you hear me” celebrate leaving the gold-clad fans in raptures.

Gold’s star boys were clearly getting the reward, but what about the unsung heroes?

Ruckman Ben O’Brien finally answered that question as Whitlock’s bomb into the goalsquare was soccered by Harry Keat, only to be blocked goalie style before O’Brien got his goal with a quick snap from a metre out.

Grey clouds began to swirl above, almost signifying what was happening in Kyabram’s camp.

Then, a break in those clouds for Kyabram came.

Amid the whipping gusts blowing around, James Priest’s arrow into Mitch Wilson resulted in the latter’s snow-toucher helicoptering its way through to see the Kyabram crowd go bonkers.

However, more Whitlock excellence saw him launch a goalsquare tackle on James Hargreaves which Myers volleyed home on the soccer.

The fourth quarter arrived and Kyabram desperately needed the early goal, but it wasn’t to be with humdrum play from both sides favouring the Bears.

Gold’s defence stayed unbending in the throes of Kyabram’s attacks.

Put simply, the Bombers were outgunned and outmanned up forward.

Midway through the last, Gold’s Hunter Howells twisted the knife with a goal of the day contender as his raking kick sailed through the middle from 50 to indicate the Bears were indeed going for broke.

With five minutes on the clock, Gold soared from one end to the other in three kicks.

The last of a trio of cranks from 50 to 50 landed in Archie Daniel’s lap and he had his own personal moment, as he thrashed it through and into the car park for Gold’s ninth and final major.

Kyabram’s Priest had the last scoring action as he received great Sunday service and converted for a consolation goal, but with the siren’s sound, the game was won and done in Gold’s eyes.

Whitlock finished as the game’s most prolific for his three goals, while Howells was bestowed the best-on-ground medallion for a righteous performance.

And with the sun setting on his time with the under-16s, Montgomery signed off with a smile on his dial.

“It’s been a fantastic season, it’s just such a fun environment to be around,” he said.

“With these 16-year-old kids, the enthusiasm is wonderful — I just love it.”