A FINALS campaign that could have so easily been over at the first hurdle ended in jubilation for Kangaroo Flat's under-18s, who delivered the club its first football premiership for more than 20 years on Saturday.

The young Roos played inspired football in tough conditions at the QEO and were rewarded with a comfortable 27-point victory over Sandhurst, 10.11 (71) to 6.8 (44).

It was a victory with plenty of layers attached to it for the impressive Roos.

It was Kangaroo Flat's first under-18 premiership since joining the BFNL from the Golden City league in 1982.

While the Roos have had plenty of grand final success on the netball court, it was the club's first football premiership since the senior triumph of 1996.

And having ended the home and away season fourth, it came off the back of having to win three cut-throat finals, which started with a one-point elimination final victory over Golden Square.

"I'm extremely proud of the group... not just the 22 who played today, but there were another five or six who missed out," Roos coach Jason Stevens said.

"We've had a challenging year, but the boys have stuck together and to come through three finals and then be premiers today is just a fantastic effort."

The Roos were never headed after Hakeem Johnson kicked the opening goal of the game.

Kangaroo Flat's 14-point advantage at quarter-time was trimmed back to eight at half-time by the Dragons, but the Roos regained the ascendancy with a six-goal to three second half.

Fittingly, the sealer was kicked by captain Mitch Rovers - one of his side's best - with a brilliant left foot snap at the Barnard Street end that gave the Roos a 65-37 lead at the 14-minute mark of the last term.

The Roos had plenty of contributors throughout, but it was ruckman Max Johnson who was awarded the Dick Turner Medal for best on ground.

Johnson did a power of work in the ruck and around the ground and also kicked a goal in the third term.

Lachlan Wilson (three), Lachlan Balcke (two) and Rovers (two) combined for seven of the Roos' 10 goals.

"It's great for our club to have some positive football news... whoever comes on board now as our next senior coach can see that there's some good young kids coming through," Stevens said.

"The club needs a bit of hope and, hopefully, this will help. It will take time, but there's plenty of talent here who can be very good senior Bendigo league players."

The defeat was Sandhurst's fourth-consecutive under-18 grand final loss.

Midfielder Cooper Smith, who was Sandhurst's only multiple goalkicker with two, earned the AFL Victoria Country Medal.

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