A REMARKABLE decade for Wedderburn has ended in the same way it began - with a Redbacks A-grade premiership.
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The Redbacks defeated a gallant Boort 59-46 in Saturday's grand final at St Arnaud, giving them an eighth premiership win in the last 10 years.
Wedderburn has played in all but one grand final in that period, only missing last year's premiership decider when Wycheproof-Narraport defeated Donald.
The Redbacks lost to Charlton in overtime in 2016.
Premiership coach Meg Lockhart said the return of key players to the line-up in 2019 and last season's third-placed finish had spurred the Redbacks to victory this season.
"Last year we got knocked out in the prelim, but this year we have had a couple of mums return from babies and Sophie Taylor from an ACL, so we were back to almost full-strength," she said.
"It was certainly good having those players back.
"It probably wasn't the fairy tale we would have liked, with B-grade losing, but three out of four grand final wins is a great effort."
Wedderburn set up the grand final win with a powerful opening half, with the Magpies settling to outscore the Redbacks by five goals in the second half.
Redbacks goal defence Ella Turnbull was awarded the best on court medal, with both coaches endorsing the choice.
They also got strong performances from co-captains Shelley DeAraugo at goal shooter and Taylor at goal keeper, while Lockhart reserved special praise for their pair of 17-year-olds, Tess Jackson and Grace Lockhart, in their first year up from juniors.
"Those girls are the future of our club," she said.
Lockhart, who stepped back into the senior role after coaching the juniors last season, gave full praise to Boort, under their coach Georgia Haw, for not only a tough grand final fight, but an outstanding season.
"We hadn't played them at full-strength throughout the season, so it was a bit of an unknown," she said.
"They had an awesome finals series. They've come from third and won their first final by 30 goals and then win against Sea Lake Nandaly Tigers by 15 goals in the prelim. They were convincing wins.
"They've come into the grand final the hard way. It's been a while for them since they last won a premiership, so they were pretty keen, but we were just able to perform on the day."
The Magpies were chasing their first A-grade flag since 2008, and were playing in their first grand final at the top level since 2010.
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Coach Haw hoped Saturday's grand final experience could inspire the Magpies to greater heights next season.
"The first half got the better of us a bit, but we made a few changes and ended up winning the second half by four (goals)," she said.
"Had we made those changes earlier, it might have been a different story.
"But they were good all day, as they were through all the grades.
"I'm pretty sure most of the girls will stick around next year, so hopefully we can build on the connections we've made this year and make them even stronger."
League best and fairest winner Roxanne Aldrich was the Magpies' best, after spending a half each at goal keeper and goal defence, while Stephanie Haw gave them a reliable and accurate target at goal shooter and finished with 31 goals.
The A-grade win capped an unbeaten season and also a big day for the Redbacks, who won three of the four grand finals they contested.
Wedderburn's 16-and-under A team defeated Boort 42-30, while C-grade beat St Arnaud 53-17.
The Redbacks lost a thrilling B-grade encounter to Donald 37-36
In other grand finals, St Arnaud beat Boort in 16-and-under B, and Donald defeated Boort in 13-and-under.
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