Colbinabbin’s youth policy pays off as it eliminated last year’s grand finalists

Colbinabbin dramatically claimed a finals place in the Heathcote District league at the weekend. The club’s president details why they didn’t have huge expectations and how it came on the back of two years work.

Colbinabbin players contest the football against North Bendigo. Picture: Colbinabbin Football Netball Club.

Colbinabbin snuck into the finals at the expense of one of the 2023 Heathcote District league grand finalist.

Now it’s ready to stun another.

The Hoppers claimed the last finals spot in a final round.

Colbinabbin needed to beat North Bendigo and rely on last year’s premiers Mount Pleasant losing to Leitchville Gunbower.

The Hoppers completed their end of the deal, beating second-placed North Bendigo by 28 points to put themselves into fifth.

Mount Pleasant then lost to Leitchville Gunbower by eight points to end its season.

The difference was the third term in each clash.

Colbinabbin kicked four goals to one to open up a 24-point lead in their clash at the final break with Mount Pleasant conceding four goals to be down by nine points at three-quarter-time.

Colbinabbin Football Netball Club is playing finals football after knocking out last year's premiers in the final round. Picture: Colbinabbin Football Netball Club.

Mount Pleasant couldn’t recover in the final term to keep its season alive.

“We didn’t have high expectations heading into the match,” Colbinabbin president Tim Hill said.

“We had to have a few results go our way, including our own. Every big game we’ve played at home in the past six weeks we’ve been playing really well.”

“Our confidence was up and it came through on Saturday.”

Colbinabbin has won four of its past six matches to progress to the finals.

It’s been a significant turnaround after the club finished seventh last year, six games out from finals.

The rise has come from backing in the clubs youth after mass retirements in 2022.

“Once we went with Jed Brain (in 2023) we knew we’d have to reset and get some matches in some young locals, we kept a young list,” Hill said.

“This year, the second year of senior football (for the young players), where they have to play key roles as young kids, it is starting to pay off.

“They are getting reward for effort.”

The team will now face Heathcote in an elimination final.

Colbinabbin won the last match between the two but earlier this season the Saints did smash the Hoppers by 101 points.

“Every week is a challenge and we’ve got confidence in our side,” Hill said.

“We’ve beaten everyone above us on the run home and we’re going to hit Sunday’s contest head on and hopefully things go our way and we live to fight another day.

“Our contest and pressure is what has got us to where we are.

“If we bring that for four quarter I’m sure we’ll come out in front.”

The finals see Colbinabbin take on Heathcote on Sunday in an elimination final with North Bendigo taking on Leitchville Gunbower in a qualifying final on Saturday.