Demonic Victory

Kooweerup reserves player-coach Brett Hobson put his body on the line for his side’s drought-breaking cause on Saturday. 172941 Pictures: STEWART CHAMBERS

By Russell Bennett

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Kooweerup Football Club vice president, heart-and-soul big man Matt ‘Yogi’ Cameron first played for his beloved Demons 25 years ago as just a nine-year-old in the Under 15s.
On Saturday, at Wonthaggi in the reserves against Phillip Island, the ruckman won his first ever premiership in the famous red and blue and to top that off he was named best-on-ground for the side captained by his best mate, and fellow Koowee favourite son Daniel Mullen.
The Demons held strong in the final term to ultimately win by 14 points, 6.3(39) to 3.7(25) – winning their first reserves premiership in 32 years.
In the wake of the contest, Mullen had one word to describe the result – ‘goosebumps’.
“It’s just unreal – to win one with Yogi, my best mate and the kids’ godfather, is just amazing,” he said.
Mullen said he’d never experienced anything like it. He and Cameron were both part of the 2014 senior Demons side that toppled Garfield by two points in the preliminary final but was ultimately left heartbroken after falling by 78 points to Cora Lynn in the decider.
Saturday in Wonthaggi produced the polar opposite in emotions.
“We knew it (the lead-up to the grand final) had to be relaxed and we passed that down to a few blokes,” Mullen said.
“Hobbo (player coach Brett Hobson) kept the game plan pretty basic but he did an amazing job with the group he had. There really were no individuals in the side.”
Mullen said, in reality, there were 27 guys who were a part of Saturday’s win – with some unlucky to miss out on a game.
“We just said that if you think you’re stuffed, think about what those other blokes would do to be here now and it made a real impact,” he said.
“I’ve played a lot of footy, but I’ve never been a part of a side as close as this one. Never.
“I know I’m coming to the end of my career – Yogi too – but I’ve got a premiership now and that means so much.”
In the thirds grand final, Garfield outlasted Cora Lynn by just four points on the rain-soaked Wonthaggi deck – 3.5(23) to 3.1(19).
The Cobras started the stronger of the two sides – leading by 10 points at quarter-time of the low-scoring battle – before the Stars sprung to life off the back of a brilliant performance by the strong-bodied Damion Denysenko who was awarded the best on ground medal in the Under 18 decider for the second year running in what was a rematch of last year’s clash.
In a sign of great spirit between the two clubs, Garfield and Cora Lynn reached an agreement to each have an extended bench – rewarding players who’d worked so hard during the season but would otherwise have missed out on the chance to win a premiership medal.
In the first clash of the day, Bunyip emerged victorious by just three-points in a tense battle with their Bulldog name sakes from Phillip Island, 2.9(21) to 3.0(18).
The likes of best-on-ground medal winner Dylan Gallasch, Xavier Kinder, Will Papley and Zac Bonnet starred while Sage Tapner capped off his outstanding individual season with the ultimate team success.