Orroroo puts 7-9 record aside to top Northern Areas FA favourite BMW in 2023 grand final

An SA country side with a negative win-loss record this year came from the clouds in the finals to claim the 2023 premiership by a goal in dramatic fashion.

A country footy club has pulled off one of the greatest underdog grand final wins in local SA footy, defeating a heavy favourite by a kick after making finals with a negative record.

Northern Areas Football Association club Orroroo defeated competition power Booleroo Melrose Wilmington (BMW) in Saturday’s grand final, remarkably kicking ahead in the final term to win 8.8 (56) to 6.14 (50).

The Roos finished with a minor round record of 7-9 this season but remarkably defeated Broughton-Mundoora in the elimination final and a Will Combe-led Crystal Brook in the preliminary final before facing 15-1 BMW.

The side, led by best on ground co-captain Aiden Lee in the middle, put together a courageous display in the contest and managed to hit the front through Jake Foulis and Tyson Pawley late in the contest to take out the flag.

Club veteran Sam Kuerschner said the win topped the Roos’ 2021 premiership and was the club’s greatest achievement.

Orroroo celebrates its unlikely 2023 premiership. Picture: Orroroo Football Club

“It was a very exciting and very relieving feeling when that siren went because the game was so close. I’m just really proud of the team and the whole club,” Kuerschner said.

“We didn’t really feel any pressure in finals because everyone had ruled us out but we were internally confident and played a really tough brand of footy in the grand final.

“We’d lost to BMW three times this year and heading into finals we’d only beaten one of the three sides above us once. It’s a pretty remarkable achievement.”

The Roos played a hard-nosed game in the middle and stood tall at the back to quell the attacking power of BMW and grab the win.

Orroroo mothers and volunteers celebrate. Picture: Orroroo Football Club

Kuerschner said the close victory was made all the more special by the fact every player had come through Orroroo’s junior ranks, with the team costing no player points to construct.

“That’s probably what makes me proudest,” Kuerschner said.

“Country footy is getting harder and harder and we’re only a small town of about 500 to 600 people so to be able to have a team full of guys all from here who not only play but help out at the club, and then to win the grand final, it’s fantastic.

“Almost the whole town has been involved in the celebrations, which have been substantial and ongoing, and I’ve had messages of congratulations from people I’ve never met – It’s an amazing feeling.

“It’s just very humbling to see what it means to everyone.”