Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
JUST like its senior team, Strathfieldsaye's reserves also bounced back from a grand final loss last year to win Saturday's premiership.
The Storm had gone into Saturday's BFNL reserves clash against South Bendigo as the red-hot favourites, but were made to work hard for their 31-point victory.
The 12.7 (79) to 7.6 (48) victory completed an undefeated reserves season for the Storm - a feat last accomplished by Gisborne in 2008.
Saturday's match threatened early to be a blowout after the Storm kicked six of the first seven goals and led by 32 points three minutes into the second quarter.
With their backs against the wall, the Bloods lifted and responded with three goals in three minutes through Brad Wright, Cohen Balnaves and Ricky Walsh, before a late goal to Strathfieldsaye's Jacob Coleman stifled their momentum.
But the plucky Bloods came again at the Storm and when they kicked the first two goals of the third quarter against the breeze to the Barnard Street end they were within seven points and giving themselves every chance of causing a massive boilover.
However, just like the second term the Storm were able to stave off the Bloods' challenge, starting with a goal to Brad Rohde after he marked a long kick into the goalsquare from Brenton Sharp, before Jack Ginnivan's third goal from a snap handed Strathfieldsaye a 21-point lead at three quarter-time.
Although the Bloods had the aid of the breeze to the city end in the final term, the Storm finished with three goals to one in the last quarter to complete a perfect 20-0 season in 2019.
Jordan Formosa kicked two of the Storm's three last-term goals, the second of which came after plucking a one-handed mark.
Formosa finished with three goals for the Storm, as did veteran Rohde - now an 11-time premiership player in his career - and lively youngster Ginnivan.
The Storm's Riley Wilson was awarded the best-on-ground medal, while fellow Bendigo Pioneer-listed young gun James Schischka was also among Strathfieldsaye's better players.
Captain Seb Wild was named best for South Bendigo, while Josh McLeod was the Bloods' only multiple goalkicker with two.
The Storm was coached by Shannon Geary, who ended the day with two premiership medals after also playing in Strathfieldsaye's senior flag.
The victorious captain was James Blood, who now has Saturday's flag to go alongside his victory in the inaugural Addy Footy Challenge earlier in the year.
"I'm very proud of the boys... the boys have worked really hard over the past 12 months and we came really well prepared today," Blood said.
Showcasing the envious depth at the Storm footy factory, the reserves team featured five players who have won senior flags at the club: Rohde, Harry Crone, Lachlan Bonney, Jayden Donaldson and Jordan Wilson.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.