Peel Football and Netball League colts fall short in spirited Landmark Country Football Championships campaign

The Cavaliers were on the cusp of winning their second colts title in a three-year span but a kick after the siren saw the South West snatch victory from their hands.

But Peel coach Craig Rakich said the carnival had its rewards despite narrowly missing out on the ultimate prize.

“It was obviously really deflating for the boys, but as a whole we couldn’t be more proud of how they applied themselves over the course of the carnival,” he said.

“We had a really young side and to go as far as we did was just terrific for the lads.”

Peel’s deep run at the Landmark championship comes just weeks after the side won just a single game at the Great Southern Colts Carnival in Kulin.

There, the Cavaliers finished with just one win from their three games, compared to three wins from five games in the Landmark champs.

Rakich said the growth of the players over the course of just a few weeks was a shining light for the league.

“To see some of the boys go from strength to strength between the Kulin carnival and Landmark was definitely the highlight for us as coaches,” he said.

“We didn’t get the win, which does hurt, but overall we know the boys have really developed their footy which was the aim of it all.”

The Cavaliers contributed more players to the carnival’s all-star team than any other side with a whopping seven Cavs getting the nod.

Kyle Donaldson (Rockingham), Josh Hill (Baldivis), Matthew Bennell (Mandurah), Oliver Walton (Baldivis), Riley Allison (Rockingham), Ivan Lyndon (Mandurah) and Delkan Gardiner-McKenna (Baldivis) all made the team.

Walton was also awarded the Kym “Freddy” Curnow trophy for his best-on-ground performance in the grand final.

Peel’s colts will now enjoy a weekend off from their local footy duties before returning to the field for round 13 the weekend after.