THE Deniliquin Rams thirds side ended two years of heartache on Saturday by taking out the Murray Football League under-17s premiership in front of a big crowd at the Tocumwal Recreation Reserve.
The Rams beat an in-form Cobram side in what was a case of `third time lucky' after losing consecutive grand finals in 2008-09.
They went down to Mulwala (2008) and Finley (2009) in the past two flag deciders.
Deniliquin has remarkably missed under-17 finals just six times - in 1960-61, `79, `85, `97 and 2005 - since the competition started in 1960.
Eleven beaten Rams from last year returned to help the club earn the Ellis Cup for the first time since 2004.
Ruckman Daniel Jordan was named best afield, despite the medal being presented to teammate Jack Tyndall at the post-game presentation.
The mistake was soon corrected and Jordan was given the medal in the dressing sheds later in the day.
Final score: Deniliquin 8.9 (57) defeated Cobram 5.1 (31).
Deniliquin raced 17 points clear at quarter-time, despite kicking a wasteful 2.5.
Full forward Hayden Barker was particularly impressive with two majors in the first term.
One was from a set shot after taking a strong grab above a pack right on the goal square.
He was forced to step up after centre half forward Brayden Hall left the field with a hamstring strain and never returned.
Deni kept Cobram scoreless until burly Tigers full forward Nicolas Bacchetto kicked three consecutive goals in five minutes against the momentum to level scores at halftime.
He was then marked by Rams defender Tim Haines who did a stellar job keeping the gun forward quiet for the rest of the match.
But as expected, the most entertaining battle was in the middle.
Deniliquin's Ash Morris, Rick Gittens and Dom Moore did well to counter Cobram's quality onball brigade, which includes league medallist Paul Diretto, Sam Gemmill and Cadeyn Williams.
Morris and Gittens were unlucky not to have been named in their side's best, while Moore sustained an ankle injury early in the third stanza.
Gittens claimed a goal in the third period, soon after his twin brother Kev had a shot from a tight angle in the forward pocket.
Kev received plenty of `friendly advice' from Diretto upon taking his set shot.
The kick was on target but fell short, only to be knocked through for a behind.
Two points separated the two sides until Doug Bond, Ben Nisbet and Barker goalled within the three minutes prior to three quarter-time, edging Deniliquin 19 points clear.
Nisbet converted a free kick to extend the Rams' lead to 25 points about three minutes into the last and effectively end the contest.
He snared another with a left-foot `banana kick' to cap off what was a individually brilliant second half.
Rams coach Rob Morris said he was pleased with his side's performance in what was a "great win".
"Everyone had a crack, which is what we set out to do," Morris said.
"To be honest, it wasn't our best game of footy. We really had to battle.
"It was only the last five minutes that we were right on top."
Morris said his side's main goal at the start of the year was improvement.
"I think we've definitely achieved that and more."
Small forward Bond, wingman Kev Gittens, Barker, Jordan and defenders Charles Trotman and Matt O'Connor were named as Deniliquin's better players.
Morris, Rick Gittens and Haines were unlucky not to have been picked among the best.
Jordan received the beston-ground medal after dominating in the ruck. He had the better of opposition tall Samuel McCluskey for most of the day.
Jack Roberts, Williams, Gemmill, Harry Ukich, Bacchetto and Diretto best served Cobram.
The win wraps up what was a near-flawless season for Deniliquin.
The locals claimed the minor premiership, losing just one match for the year.
The Tigers finished sixth, upsetting Finley (third), Moama (fourth) and Congupna (second) on their way to their first grand final appearance since winning the 1996 flag.
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N Celebration . . . Rams players swamp coach Rob Morris after their grand final win.
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N Defence . . . Rams defender Matt O’Connor chases the ball after spoiling the mark of opponent Cadeyn Williams.
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N Midfield battle . . . Cobram’s Sam Gemmill (25) fights to get a handball away under pressure from Deniliquin players (from left) Rick Gittens, Doug Bond (on ground) and Dom Moore, while Ash Morris (3) watches on.
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N RIGHT: Tactics . . . Deniliquin coach Rob Morris addresses his players at the half time huddle.
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DENILIQUIN Rams thirds coach Rob Morris said his side's Murray Football League under17s premiership win on Saturday was a "good thing for his players, more than anything".
Apart from Ben Nisbet and Matt O'Connor, who were both part of the Deni Rovers 2009 thirds premiership, every other Rams player was involved in a losing grand final last year.
"All but two of the boys were involved in a losing grand final last year," Morris said.
"Whether that be Blighty thirds, Rams thirds or Rams fourths (who all lost respective deciders).
Morris said last week that the only way his side was going to win Saturday's match was if "everyone had a crack".
"I believe everyone played their part at different stages (of the grand final), which was good.
The side lost centre half forward Brayden Hall with a hamstring strain early in the first quarter, while Dom Moore hurt his ankle in the third.
"Ollie Draffin was also battling the flu," Morris said.
"It meant other players had to step up.
Despite a dominant year, none of the Deniliquin players polled in the top 10 of the under-17s league vote count.
Wingman Kev Gittens was equal 14th with 11 votes, while Hall and defender Tim Haines were tied 17th on 10 votes apiece.
Cobram's Paul Diretto won the league medal with 29 votes, just in front of Bradley Wilson (28) from Mulwala.
Rams thirds co-captain Ash Morris managed four votes in the MFL senior count.