Deni players Kevin Campbell, Cliff Eagle, Chris Burn, Neil Goudie, Darren Thommers, Rob Daly and Warrnambool friend Duncan Tung finally tasted the ultimate success at their eleventh attempt.
They first contested the event in 2014, and despite regularly making it to the final four since, had never been able to go all the way until this year.
It looked as though history would be against them again when they finished second at the end of the ‘home and away’ fixture.
The dominant Portland team finished undefeated at the top of the ladder, including a comfortable victory against the Deniliquin crew.
They were then beaten in the first final by the aforementioned Portland side, but with the courtesy of a double chance they were able to reach the grand final.
They were to have another crack at Portland, who by then had easily accounted for a Bendigo team in the preliminary final.
The locals saved their best for the big occasion, and quickly raced to a three-nil lead on the back of victories to Burn, Eagle and Daly.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing from there though. Portland grabbed the next two frames, before Goudie sealed the victory with a very steady win.
The matches were played in the right spirit all weekend with many of the opposition having become good friends over the years at this and other tournaments.
In fact, at the trophy presentation, one of the Portland players - Rachel Chambers - spoke out in no uncertain terms: “Oh these old buggars have got 500 years of experience on us”.
It was and always is a lot of fun.
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