Waaia ‘on cloud nine’ following back-to-back Picola District league premierships

The Bombers’ playing coach had just witnessed his charges enter Picola District Football Netball League folklore as they claimed consecutive premierships in Saturday’s convincing 12.11 (83) to 6.7 (43) grand final triumph over Strathmerton.

Waaia kicked off its party celebrations following its reserves football premiership, but with Cleeland’s charges leading by 32 points at the final break of the decider — the senior outfit was one miraculous Strathy comeback away from popping the lid off things.

That comeback never came as Waaia’s Ben Armstrong booted home the first major of the final term which was quickly followed by spearhead Charlie Burrows’ toe-poke goal moments later.

It broke Strathmerton players’ hearts and sent the Bombers’ faithful berserk at Strathmerton Recreation Reserve.

“It’s pretty exciting, everyone’s over the moon and it should be a fair old party in Waaia tonight,” Cleeland said of the 40-point win.

“It’s more than just us, everyone back home and everyone here today will certainly enjoy this win.

“It was nice to sort of have that lead at the end and soak it up and enjoy it.”

Small on-baller Ash Thompson was a standout across the ground with his work-ethic and unrelenting pressure.

Thompson, who was awarded the best-on-ground medal, led Waaia’s ferocious pressure around the opposition ball carrier — headlined by numerous second-effort smothers and absorbing tackling.

Ash Holland gave first-use in the ruck, Dylan Cornick seemed to cut-off every wayward Strathmerton inside 50 entry and Burrows was a focal point in attack with three majors.

Strathmerton’s Theo Thomas battled hard in the ruck, Matt Shannon worked overtime in defence and co-coach Tim Looby tried his hardest to will his side over the line with five majors.

It was Looby who kicked off proceedings eight minutes into the clash with his 95th goal of the season.

Strathy held advantage for most of the opening term, yet their entry going forward made life difficult for their dynamic and dangerous forwards.

Burrows missed an easy chance to kick Waaia’s first and it was Bill Brown who slotted the Bombers’ opener — followed by Burrows slotting a difficult set-shot from a tight angle.

Speedster Harvey Walker got in on the act moments later and the Bombers soon found themselves in front at the first break.

Looby once again found the opener of the second term and chiselled the margin back to six points, but Waaia responded with the next three of the match — including a memorable floating kick out of a contest from retiring Waaia great Sam Richardson.

The Bulldogs’ skipper Adrian Crestani came from the field and had his upper leg heavily strapped. He sat out the remainder of the contest following the break.

Strathmerton needed the first major of the third term, however, unlike the following two quarters it was Waaia that slotted the opener and another which stretched the margin out to a game-high 39 points.

Cleeland highlighted his side’s ability to force the Bulldogs into mistakes, which allowed for the Bombers to counter with speed and run the other way.

“Our pressure and work-rate is a massive thing for us and it sets the tone and it didn’t linger out, we sustained it for four quarters which was pleasing,” Cleeland said.

“I think our work-rate was right where I hoped it would be.

“I think in the end that was what mainly got us on top early, we were a little bit sloppy ... but I think as soon as the game opened up we came into our own.

“We pride ourselves on our inside stuff, but our outside stuff is where we got the ball rolling.

“Ash with the best-on-ground, he’s been great all year, he was one of those guys chasing down the wing getting a tackle in the last quarter. Charlie up forward would have had a day out if he had of kicked straight. I thought the whole back six was really strong, Will Foster was strong and as always Ash Holland in the ruck was giving us first use.

“I can’t help but harp on the whole team performance. Everyone did their bit and that’s all I can ask for.

“We’re riding on cloud nine at the minute.”