Koroit midfielder Isaac Sinnott takes out Hampden league's Judd Cup

The big-bodied midfielder, capped twice in Chris McLaren's Saints outfit, capped a stellar under 18.5 season with his maiden Judd Cup on Sunday.

Sinnott enjoyed a breakout season in an undermanned under 18.5 side, polling 22 votes to hold off Camperdown's Toby Kent.

Sinnott revealed senior experience had strengthened his game.

"It's just good to play around the bigger bodies and with the senior lads because they're all quality players," he said.

"It sort of makes you have to play better because you have to step up to that next level.

"There's heaps of guns in our senior side so it's good to be among them and try to (replicate) the way they play."

The Yambuk cricketer arrived at Victoria Park four years ago.

He managed 16 matches with the under 18.5 outfit this season, booting 13 goals in an on-ball role.

Sinnott also juggled time in the Saints' back-half when resting.

He was delighted to take out the honour.

"I didn't expect it at all, so it's pretty good," Sinnott told The Standard.

"I would have rathered to be playing finals with the boys and to be a good side but it does feel pretty good."

Sinnott said expectations were low early on in the season as the Saints battled through a shortage of under 18.5 players.

He was proud of his side's progress in the face of adversity.

"We sort of scratched a side together, and in round one we got demolished by South Warrnambool," Sinnott said.

"As it went on the losses were closer and closer and we weren't getting beaten by as much.

"We then started getting a few wins. It was really good, the way we started the year and then managed to finish it off with a few wins.

"At the start of the year, we probably thought we'd struggle to win one but to come back and win five was a good effort by the boys."

Sinnott said a chunk of his former under 18.5 teammates had graduated to both seniors and reserves and would shape up for the Saints in Saturday's grand finals.

He predicted a rapid return to finals for Koroit's under 18.5 side.

"There's heaps of good young kids coming through and even the bottom-age kids this year have been real good," Sinnott said.

"It'll pick up next and if not, the year after."

Portland rising star Toby Oakley clocked in third overall in the vote count with 16, while Warrnambool's Harry Ryan and North Warrnambool Eagles' Jett Bermingham were fourth and fifth respectively.

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