Lockington-Bamawm United’s under-15s celebrate a goal in their stunning Heathcote District Football League grand final win over Leitchville-Gunbower. Photos: Jordan Townrow.
Lockington-Bamawm United has taken out the inaugural Heathcote District Football League under-15 premiership after shocking Leitchville-Gunbower.
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The Cats were heavy underdogs for the fixture, facing a Bombers side that only lost once all year and had beaten them in five previous meetings in 2026.
But Lockington came out as the better side from the off at Strauch Reserve, kicking the first four goals of the game.
In very wet conditions, Declan Carmichael started the early onslaught before two very well taken checkside finishes by Hayden Keele and Ryder Murray had the Cats up 18-0.
A long kick from Cody Cook then evaded everyone in the forward 50, bouncing twice on the way through for LBU to lead 24-0.
The ball had barely gone into Leitchville’s forward line in the opening stages, but it finally found a major just before quarter-time thanks to Bayly Young.
There was less goalmouth action in the second term, with the Bombers ramping up their pressure to restrict LBU.
But the Cats still booted the only major in the period and took a 5.0 (30) to 1.3 (9) lead into half-time.
Leitchville would make a better start than Lockington in the third quarter, getting repeat entries into its 50, which lead to a goal two minutes into the second half.
But LBU responded immediately through Murray, who found himself totally free to goal from a set-shot, and later added another to lead 43-15 with five minutes until three-quarter time.
Though the likes of Thomas Gretgrix and Jax Hare did their best to weather the storm, both being particularly strong in the air, the Cats’ ball use on the day was too slick for the Bombers to handle.
Murray added another to his tally just before the three-quarter time siren, getting to the ball first and finishing easily after it was kicked into an open 50, with LBU up 49-16 ahead of the fourth.
The Cats goaled early in the final term, with Logan Carmichael converting Cook’s excellent centring kick to extend the margin to 39.
Though seemingly home and dry, Leitchville would make Lockington sweat for its victory in the final stages.
The Bombers found two quick majors via Gretgrix and Young, before a great finish by Harry Emonson in the pocket suddenly had the margin cut back to 20 with five minutes to play.
Despite the promising finish, Leitchville’s efforts would be in vain, as LBU’s strong start to the game ultimately secured it a 9.3 (57) to 5.5 (35) victory.
Lockington is the first winner of the HDFL’s under-15 competition, which was only introduced this year.
The under-15s would get the party started early for Lockington, which went on to win the other two football grand finals it featured in on the day.
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