Just minutes after steering Stawell Mitre 10 Warriors to back-to-back reserves premierships with a 46 point victory over Horsham, coach Brett Graveson indicated his desire to claim a third flag in 2009.
After the Warriors belted out their club song inside the Alexandra Oval rooms, an emotional Graveson sat his players down and told them he hoped they would be back next season to hopefully secure a third straight flag.
``Over the home and away season we were the best team for the year and when you come to a finals series anything can happen,'' Graveson said.
``We then proved we are the best team when the finals come around, we looked down the barrel and fought hard.
``To the guys that have gone back-to-back with me, well done you guys, beautiful effort, but there is still another thing to do I reckon - let's make it three.
``Stick together boys, stick together because we want three next year.''
Stawell's second reserves premiership in as many years was never in doubt after quarter time, when the red and black powered clear with the aid of a stiff breeze to lead the clash by six goals at the main break. Two goals each to Michael McKenzie, Todd Matthews and Otto Adam had the Warriors firing on all cylinders heading into half time before sticking with the Demons when it was their turn with the wind.
Two goals by the Demons was only enough to cut the margin back to 32 points by the final change and with Stawell likely to finish hard with the luxury of the breeze, a Warriors premiership looked a foregone conclusion.
Despite booting the opening goal of the final term, the Demons could not stay with the visibly quicker and more skillful Warriors, who could already taste success.
German Grundler booted his second goal of the day after breaking free from a contested situation, before Andrew Dunn got the crowd cheering with a long goal from outside the 50 metre mark. Brendan Pateman marked and goaled shortly before the siren but there was still time for Matthews to weave some more of his magic, snapping truly on his left foot from deep in the pocket.
The siren then sounded which paved the way for players, coaching staff and supporters to stream onto the ground and sing the team song in front of a disappointing Demons outfit.
Andrew Dunn, who finished third in the league best and fairest award on Monday night, was a standout for the Warriors, racking up numerous possession both forward and in defence and giving the Warriors drive out of difficult times in the backline. Scott Rathgeber, who infact received the VCFL medal as the best player on the ground, rucked tirelessly all match, Nauruans Otto Adam and German Grundler provided plenty of spark and booted five goals between them, Michael McKenzie showed his class with some telling possessions and Todd Matthews again provided a target at full forward.
Fred Greene, who was yellow carded in the third term for swearing, found plenty of the ball but failed to use it effectively at times, while talls Joel Freeland and Brendan Pateman had impacts on the match going forward.
Graveson said the reserves success was a major positive for the club after the senior team failed to win their way through to the grand final.
``I suppose the nucleus of your club is the seniors so it is disappointing that they didn't make it but it is always positive when you win a premiership,'' he said.
Graveson said he was confident of victory after holding the Demons to just three goals with the wind advantage in the opening term.
Warriors celebrate their 46 point win over Horsham.
Fred Greene shows off the premiership cup.