Wimmera league grand final: Ararat defeats Southern Mallee Giants

See all the pictures from Ararat’s drought-breaking premiership win in the Wimmera league grand final.

Ararat avoided a second successive disastrous ending to a season by downing a wasteful Southern Mallee Giants by 21 points in the Wimmera league grand final at Dimboola on Saturday.

It had an undefeated charge through the home-and-away rounds before stumbling in the second semi-final to the Giants a fortnight ago. This year’s dominant performance followed huge disappointment last year, when it let slip a golden opportunity to end a premiership drought stretching back to 2001.

Ararat’s moment of truth came at quarter time of the grand final when the Giants opened a 24-point lead with first use of a strong breeze.

Ararat celebrates its first Wimmera league flag since 2001 at Dimboola. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Following a run of wasted chances to started the second term, Ararat clicked.

Three goals in five minutes from Jacob Bates, Jack Ganley and mid-season recruit Tex Korewha closed the gap to just three points.

Ararat took the lead for the first time at the 16-minute mark when Tom Mills booted the first of his three goals for the match.

Ararat’s Tex Korewha soars over the top to take a great mark.

Korewha then added another goal, and when Ben Taylor bobbed up with a brilliant snap around the body the margin was suddenly 15 points at halftime.

Toohey medallists Daniel Mendes and Jake Robinson flipped the Giants’ early midfield dominance with ruckman Cody Lindsay also lifting after his direct opponent Kieren Delahunty had the upper hand in the first term.

Ararat’s Cody Lindsay and Southern Mallee Giants Kieran Delahunty do battle in the ruck. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Ararat’s backline was the second-half saviour when the Giants had the breeze at their backs again in the third quarter and came again midway through the final term.

But inaccuracy derailed the Giants’ hopes of winning their first Wimmera flag.

They kicked 1.9 in the third term and muffed three chances into the wind midway through the last quarter to Lou White, Rupert Sangster and Josh Webster that killed off any chance of victory.

The Giants booted a lamentable 1.13 after halftime and Ararat applied the finishing touches to the flag with two more goals to Mills to win 10.13 (73) to 6.16 (52).

Ararat coach Matthew Walder and captain Riley Taylor lift the Wimmera league premiership cup. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Mendes won the medal for best-on-ground.

Ararat coach Matthew Walder said his team had responded when needed.

“It takes a special group to hold it up and we were obviously challenged late in the year,” he said.

“We recognised a couple of things and they showed their hand a little bit in the second semi.

“Around the ball we were a bit meek and lost our dare with footy in hand.

“We took the learnings from that.”

Ararat recovered from its second semi-final loss to beat Southern Mallee Giants in the grand final. Picture: Yuri Kouzmin

Tom Williamson returned to Ararat this season after 44 matches for Carlton and played his part in the victory by helping out in defence in the third term with some crucial saving marks.

“I’ve been waiting my whole life for that,” he said.

“We knew early on they were kicking with a pretty strong breeze.

“They obviously missed some chances, but I’m really proud of our players.

“The back six rock up every week and week after week beat their opponents.”

Giants coach Kieran Delahunty said Ararat had been “the benchmark all year”.

“They have been a super team and thoroughly deserved the premiership,” he said.

Ararat coach Matthew Walder celebrates on the final siren.

Giants’ player Jake Garvey does battle with two Ararat opponents.

Giants player Billy Lloyd sticks a strong tackle on Ararat star Daniel Mendes.

Ararat won the Wimmera league grand final by 21 points.

Giants forward Josh Webster drags in a chest mark.

Giants coach Kieran Delahunty is tackled by Ararat’s Robert Armstrong.

Giants player Jake Garvey thumps the ball away from Ararat’s Tex Korewha.

Ararat’s Tom Mills marks on the lead.

Ararat’s Tex Korewha is tackled without the ball.

Ararat’s Ben Taylor lays a strong tackle.

Ararat’s Robert Armstrong just gets his kick away.

Ararat’s Jack Ganley is tackled by Giants player Heath Smith.

Ararat’s Tom Mills finished with three goals including two in the last quarter.

Ararat’s Tex Korewha booted three goals before halftime in the grand final.

Originally published as Wimmera league grand final: Ararat defeats Southern Mallee Giants