Berrigan Saints fourths football team delivered a premiership victory to the club in emphatic style on Saturday, taking out the Picola League title.
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The Saints were able to bring home the silverware after a commanding win against the unbeaten favourites, Picola United.
Many of the older team members had been part of the previous two grand final losses, and were looking for a strong redemption story that would see the Saints finish on top when the final siren blew.
The team delivered in spades, with the lads playing a near perfect game to leave the minor premiers shell shocked.
In the teams’ only other encounter for the year, the Saints had gone down by 69 points. They knew the grand final was going to be a well contested match.
Coach Rob Ryan praised his teams’ finals build up and highlighted the outstanding form the team had shown throughout the finals' series.
“We had a team mantra that our best was better than the rest, and we knew that if we backed ourselves in that we are as good as any other team.”
The team produced a flawless first quarter, with the boys kicking three straight goals and keeping Picola to a goalless quarter for the first time all season.
This lay the foundations for a whole team effort that was accountable for every disposal, tackle, handball and kick the entire game.
The pressure applied by the Berrigan Saints was relentless.
Picola could not build any momentum and were just not able to get into the game, with Berrigan dictating play across the ground.
The second quarter was tension filled, with Picola finally hitting the scoreboard.
At the half-time break, Ryan implored his charges that they needed to bring everything they had to take this game out, as the third quarter is the premiership quarter.
The team delivered beyond measure and put on four unanswered goals.
After a third quarter address for the ages from the coach, the team all led by example and finished the game as they started, with accountable football and one on one contests.
When the siren sounded, the strong contingent of Saints supporters rushed the ground to congratulate the team and celebrate what had been the perfect game.
The ultimate success of a premiership had been achieved with a whole team effort - every single player played their part and contributed towards the victory.
Final score: Berrigan 8.3 (51) def Picola United 4.5 (29).
Saints goals: Hudson Ware 3, Nick Arnold 2, Jack Phillips, Jace Willemsen, Jordan Swann.
Saints’ best players: Jordan Swann (Best on Ground), Nick Arnold, Hudson Ware, Tully Ryan, Jack Phillips, Dusty Ryan.
Jordan Swann was named best on ground in the fourths grand final.
Hudson Ware kicks forward for the Saints in the fourths grand final.
Nick Arnold kicks it out of the pack for the Saints in the fourths grand final.
Trey Burns sums up his options with the ball in the fourths grand final.
Oliver Batten lays a tackle in the grand final.
Mason Ford competes in the marking contest for the Saints in the grand final.
Jack Phillips goes for a mark in the goal square for the Saints.
Jack Phillips kicks for goal in the fourths grand final.
Jordan Swann boots the ball forward from the backline for the Berrigan fourths.
Jordan Swann celebrating with teammates after the Berrigan fourths 2025 Picola league premiership.
Jordan Swann getting high fives in the grand final post match ceremony.
The Berrigan Saints fourths sing the song after their 2025 Picola League Premiership win.
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