Sport
22 August, 2025
Mounties Premiers 2025
After two close grand final losses in 2022 and 2023 to Rovers, a more desperate Mounties outplayed last year's premiers Bombers, to win the 2025 premiership by twenty points. This now sees three of the four teams in the competition win the last three flags, with the Warriors just missing out last year.
REPORT BY ADRIAN PIETERS
A large crowd attended the game in gloomy weather, but the rain held off in the morning. Considering the wet week, the ground staff had the Richardson Oval in excellent condition.
The Bombers kicked to the town end in the first quarter with a slight wind, which is usually the scoring end, they failed to kick a goal, however, and the only goal for the quarter was kicked by Nate Rhodes after taking a strong mark.
With super fit Richardson Medal winner, Pat Harrington dominating in the ruck and setting up across the centre, the Mounties had all the play in the second quarter.
They kicked a goal when James Bendelle marked twenty metres out, but wasted many chances and added six behinds.
With the Mounties' back line playing in front and putting pressure on the talented Bombers forwards, they restricted them to only one behind in the first half and went into the half-time break with a handy seventeen-point lead.
The third quarter saw the Bombers get more of the ball through Peter Smith and Hughie Cameron, which resulted in Oliver McDougall bouncing one through from centre half forward. The ball was then thrown up in the centre, and the most important passage of play for the game took place.
Mounties immediately hit back when Pat Harrington tapped the ball to Archie McKinnon, who broke out of the centre, and a long kick found Nate Rhodes, who goaled. The Mounties had their tails up at three-quarter time and had the wind going into the last quarter.
Full of confidence, they moved the ball forward, and goal sneak Charlie Ganley kicked one of his trademark snaps from the forward pocket. About the eight-minute mark, Blake Spicer put them thirty-one points up after taking a mark close in.
To their credit, the Bombers never gave up and got their possession game going through Edward Alderman and Henry Fratin. Max Tucker and Kaiden Bannister kicked goals, but time ran out, and the Mounties won by twenty points.
As the siren sounded, there were scenes of jubilation as Mounties' parents and supporters ran onto the ground to congratulate their team. The game was played in good spirit with the Bombers players and coaches gracious in defeat. The Mounties just played better on the day.
Pat Harrington was the difference between the two teams and was awarded the Adrian Pieters VCFL medal for best on ground as voted by the umpires.
Rigby Holland on the wing adapted to the conditions, reading the game and winning the ball often against bigger Bombers players. He was well supported by Kye Rimmell on the other wing. Onballers Archie McKinnon and Hugh McMahon also had excellent games, and Nate Rhodes kicked two goals and was a focal point up forward.
Other good players for the Bombers were Louie Hitchcock and Oscar McDougall, who did a good job in defence.
Congratulations to James Bendelle and Nate Rhodes from Mounties who played their 50th game in a winning grand final, and Max Price of Bombers on his 50th. Max played in last year’s premiership.
Big thanks to Rhys Cronin and Mitch Laundy, who did an excellent job umpiring the game and volunteer goal umpires, Dave Bibby and Luke Roberts.
Once again, it was a great season for the ADJFA. The committee will meet shortly to get the ball rolling for 2026, and a couple of new members are needed.
I would like to wish all the top-aged players all the best for the rest of their footy careers and hope they enjoyed their experience in our competition. With about thirty kids leaving, all four teams will need new boys and girls keen to make the next step up from Auskick and their local clubs and join our great association.
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