A journey that started five years ago reached Everest for the Tamworth Roosters at Gunnedah on Saturday.
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Playing in their first-ever grand finals, the Roosters celebrated a premiership double with the under-14s and under-17s both triumphant. The under-14s started off the golden day with a dominant 13.8 (86) to 2.6 (18) win over Gunnedah.
As he had done all season Tom Aitken led the way with the boot. The leading goalkicker for the competition, he kicked four, Ashlee Collins three, and Alexander Morgan-Giles and Harry Hagon, who was named best on ground, two.
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Defensively they didn't give the Dogs many opportunities, holding them scoreless for the first half.
The under-17s then turned the tables on Inverell prevailing 9.5 (59) to 6.7 (43).
Winless against the Saints in all their previous meetings, they set the win up in the first quarter kicking away to a 19-point lead at the first break that the Saints were never really able to bridge.
For captain Bill Tydd, he couldn't have dreamed of a better way to finish off his Roosters' days.
One of five players for who Saturday was their final junior game, he was, much to his surprise, named best on ground.
"It was pretty cool to be named best on ground and to finish off with a win was pretty good," he said.
Taking confidence from the 14s win, he said they were also inspired by former team-mate Jacob Vallender, wanting to win for him.
The son of coach Greg Vallender, the teenager would have been one of the graduating players but tragically passed away late last year.
Tydd said the Saints were the first to score but from that point they just switched on, the Roosters' tackling one of the features of their performance.
All of their tackles stuck, he said, and they got quite a few holding the ball free kicks from the pressure they put on the Saints, which then played on their minds.
Saturday's success was really testament to the dedication and passion of [Greg] Vallender.
He was instrumental in the club's formation five years ago as the combined junior team of the Tamworth Kangaroos and Swans.
Boasting very few numbers manager Sarah Dadd said often they would have to play outnumbered or forfeit.
"There were very few wins along the way, but the kids got to play footy," she reflected.
"Greg was instrumental in getting the group to focus on an aspect of the game and bettering themselves."
It took a while but eventually they had enough to field both an under-14s and under-17s team and get some momentum.
"Greg's dedication, infinite patience and commitment to get kids playing AFL has paid off," Dadd said.
"He has an unwavering belief in the ability of all team members if they apply themselves and it has built strong camaraderie within the two teams."
