The Tamborine Mountain Eagles Under 18s have capped off years of development together with a 2-0 grand final victory over Broadbeach United on September 11.
Coach Mark Benson said the result had been several years in the making, having coached many members of the group from the Under 13s through to the Under 18s.
The Eagles had previously enjoyed premiership success during their junior years but had been unable to convert that into a grand final victory, including a loss in the Under 16 decider.
“It’s been a long process with quite a few of the players to actually get to winning the grand final,” Benson said.
“We set the goal at the start of the season to hopefully win the premiership and win the grand final.
“We didn’t get the premiership, but we got the grand final and they put a lot of work and effort into their play, teamwork and attitude.”
The Eagles faced a familiar opponent in Broadbeach, with little separating the two sides throughout the season.
Broadbeach claimed the premiership, but across four meetings before the grand final the teams had recorded two wins each, with the aggregate score locked at six goals apiece.
The Eagles met Broadbeach again in the semi-final, winning in a nail-biting penalty shoot out.
Benson said the Eagles used the week off to analyse Broadbeach’s attacking play when they faced Ormeau and develop a plan for the grand final.
The strategy paid off, with Tamborine Mountain taking a 2-0 lead into halftime before maintaining its advantage throughout the second half to secure the title.
“They all played it perfectly and Broadbeach didn’t get a proper shot on goal until the 85th minute, and they were the best attacking team all season,” Benson said.
The victory also marked the end of an era for the team, with several players now graduating from junior football and facing the decision of progressing into senior competition, playing at university or stepping away from the sport.
Benson said the significance of the result extended beyond the trophy, particularly for a group made up largely of schoolmates who had spent years playing together.
“The memory that we’ve been able to create for the boys is just brilliant,” he said.
“It’s something that’s going to live with them for the rest of their lives, that they actually won a grand final together.”
