UGSFL 2024 GRAND FINAL: Under 18s Wagin comeback, mixed under 14s Narrogin brutal blitz to upset Katanning

An epic comeback from Wagin under 18s and a brutal blitz by Narrogin in mixed under 14s left Katanning upset on both counts for the first two games of the Upper Great Southern grand finals on Sunday. Under 18s crowd favourites Wagin Bulldogs saw a grim first quarter at Wickepin Town Oval against Katanning with numerous fruitless attempts at goals, while their opponents steamed forward with two majors and took the lead to start their grand final. The ball favoured the Bulldogs’ goal end in the second quarter but was followed by their bad luck as the team’s slippery hands, fumbling marks and powerless kicks saw Wagin with five unsuccessful goal attempts and turnovers in minutes. Mitchell Hill scored the Bulldogs’ first major for the day, kicking his teammates into gear and stealing a six-point lead, 3.2 (20) to 2.0 (12) at half-time. The Wanderers remained strong, with admirable plays from Thomas Hamon, Dylan Quartermaine, Christian Moulden, Tramain Way, Chace Campbell and Trenton Keast preventing Wagin from widening the margin. However, the Bulldogs’ woes were behind them as they regained their bark, stealing the game from the Wanderers who were wasteful with the ball as the clock ticked on. The Wanderers saw little success in the final quarter, losing the ball quickly in the rare times they had it in their grasp. The Bulldogs’ Jack Holt and the Wanderers’ Nathan Smith both kicked three majors for the game. Star players Cameron Jetta, Jack Holt, Mitchell Hills, Angus Whiteford, Carter English and Jax Moffatt shone on the field and elevated the Bulldogs to their 11.11 (77) to 6.2 (38) grand final triumph. Wagin’s success continued at the awards ceremony where Cameron Jetta won the Barry Butterworth Medal and Jack Holt received the South Fremantle Football Club jersey for both being voted best on ground in the grand final. Katanning’s Thomas Hamon received the UGSFL fairest and best award and best on ground in the grand final and despite Narrogin Hawks missing out on the finals, player Tyran Lanciano won the award for the most goals kicked for the season. Narrogin claimed victory with a 7.11 (53) to 2.3 (15) thrashing of Katanning in the mixed under 14s grand final. The Wanderers saw a hopeful beginning by claiming the first major and rendering their opponent goalless for the first quarter. Strong players Oliver Porter, Sebastian Green, Joshua Penny, Adam Edwards and Lomas Ugle were the most noteworthy. Unfortunately, the Wanderers’ success was short-lived as the Hawks proved unbeatable as the game continued. The Hawks kicked a whooping four majors in the second quarter and another in the third while the Wanderers failed to secure a single point. The Wanderers claimed another goal on the scoreboard in a final quarter rush, but the Hawks responded with two of their own. Frazer Bradford, Henry Synnot, Thomas Woodruff, Lincoln Bolton, Blaise Reeves and Lucas Stevens exhibited great skill and teamwork on the field, helping their team to a spectacular premiership win. Regardless of the Wanderer’s loss, leading player Adam Edwards was congratulated by his fellow teammates for receiving the Les Grout Medal Association Fairest and Best 2024 award. Beside him, Katanning’s Rhyker Harper and Narrogin’s Fraser Bradford won the South Fremantle Football Club award for being best on ground for the grand final game.