Country Champs: Lower South West claim Div 3 title in two-point thriller against Mortlock

Lower South West Football League survived a late scare against Mortlock to claim the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships Division Three title in thrilling fashion at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday morning.

The nail-biting two-point win – 8.8 (56) to 8.6 (54) – capped off an undefeated carnival for Lower South West, who won all five off their games across the three days.

Former West Perth forward Rudy Riddoch, now playing for Gingin, won the Nutrien Ag Solutions Medal for best-afield in the grand final after a brilliant performance in a losing cause for Mortlock.

Former Claremont young gun Peter Coles nearly snatched a stunning win for Mortlock, booting a late goal and taking another couple of big marks inside 50 in the dying seconds, but couldn’t convert his opportunities.

Lower South West’s forwards were firing in the opening half with livewire Ashley Wallam excellent with his tackle pressure and silky skills on the way to a game-high three majors, while key forward Mat Michael, the son of WA football legend Stephen, provided a key target.

Co-Captain Brett Wilson was another big performance for the victors, splitting his time between the forward-line and ruck.

Mortlock stormed back into the contest with a stunning four-goals-to-none third term, cutting the margin back to four points at three-quarter time.

Josh Power kicked a much-needed steadier for ‘Lowers’ with a brilliant left-foot snap eight minutes into the final term, before Coles breathed life back into the contest with a snap of his own.

Zak Tetlow continued his brilliant carnival for Mortlock with two majors and Dylan Allan also contributed two, with Riddoch and midfielder Sam Schlaghecke also prominent.

Jock Beattie Medal for Division Three’s fairest-and-best player went to Lower South West gun co-captain David Cowan.

Cowan also made the carnival All-Stars alongside Lower South West teammate Harry Taylor, Mortlock’s Jacob Feist and Central Wheatbelt big man Jake South.

SCOREBOARD

Lower SW 3.1 7.4 7.6 8.8 (56)

Mortlock 2.0 3.1 7.2 8.6 (54)

GOALS – Lower South West: A Wallam 3; M Michael, J Power, B Wilson, B Cabassi, B Grant. Mortlock: D Allan, Z Tetlow 2; C Harding, I Barry, R Riddoch, P Coles.

BEST – Lower South West: B Wilson, A Wallam, D Cowan, L O’Shea. Mortlock: R Riddoch, S Schlaghecke, Z Tetlow, D Allan.