HAMILTON Kangaroos are basking in the success of their first Hampden league football premiership.
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The Roos’ youth girls side won the Deakin University Female Football League flag on Sunday, defeating South Warrnambool 3.10 (28) to 1.1 (7) at Pedrina Park.
The club – the result of a merger between the town’s Imperials and Magpies teams – joined the competition in 2013.
The female competition is in its second season.
Co-coach Fraser Robinson said his team was rapt to deliver a premiership cup to Melville Oval after going through the 10-round season undefeated.
“We are pretty chuffed about that,” he said of becoming the first Hamilton Kangaroos side to win a football flag.
“The girls played really good football. They bonded well all year.
“I just put it down to a good bunch of girls that looked after each other.”
Kangaroos captain Maddison Kaine said the disappointment of their 2017 grand final loss to Horsham Saints spurred them on this season.
She said the players would “enjoy every moment of it”.
“It feels really good actually,” Kaine said post-game.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for a while now and it’s finally come true and I think we can say we’re just over the moon about the win.
“We couldn’t pull it off last year but it just makes this better to come back and win it this year.”
South Warrnambool coach Alicia Drew conceded Hamilton Kangaroos were “too strong, too classy”.
The Roosters’ only two losses of the season came against the premier.
“Full credit to Hamilton, they’re a sensational side and we knew we were going to be up against it from the first bounce,” she said.
“But I am really happy with how my girls played. “
It was one of the best games we’ve played for the year.
“I never thought I’d coach a grand final so happy either way.
“I think the girls will come back hungry next year.
“Hamilton came second last year and they had to fight back this year so we’ll do the same next year.”
Drew said the Roosters had “no weak links”, highlighting Maddy Giblin’s efforts, but rued their lack of height.
“Their height killed us. They’re a really tall side,” she said.
“It’s been our issue all year, we’ve been three inches too short every game.”
Ten teams from across south-west Victoria – the Roos, the Roosters, Old Collegians, Portland, Warrnambool, Timboon Demons, Cobden, Horsham Demons, Horsham Saints and Stawell – took part in the second DUFFL season.
