PFNL grand finals: Pinjarra Tigers cap off long journey with premiership flag

Those are the words from newly crowned premiership coach Troy Vidovich after his Pinjarra Tigers won the Peel Football and Netball League grand final with a golden showing against Waroona on Saturday.

Pinjarra dominated the final three quarters of the game to take a 41-point win, capping off an emotional, year-long journey for the club.

After mourning the loss of their president, Terry Jeffs, in August last year and being prematurely ousted from the finals just weeks later, the Tigers set out with their sights fixed on a return to premiership glory in 2017.

Now, having achieved their ultimate goal, Vidovich said he has nothing but pride for his determined group.

“I couldn’t be any more proud of them,” he said.

“For them to go through what they have as a playing group – and as a club overall – and respond the way they have shows the kind of characters they are.

“There’s a lot of love around the whole club so to get that flag, it’s pretty overwhelming.

“I just told them to make sure they soak it up and enjoy the moment.”

The Tigers were pushed early in the game with the Demons looking up and about in the opening quarter.

But despite Waroona posting six scoring shots to three in the term, Pinjarra held a two-point lead at the first change and took total control the second.

They were able to rampage out to a 30-point lead by half time, which turned out to be an unassailable one for the Demons.

But despite having the game sewn up in the early stages of the fourth quarter, Vidovich refused to recognise his side’s win until the final siren.

“I had people coming up and congratulating me with five or 10 minutes left and all I could say was ‘nah, it’s not over yet’,” he said.

“When the siren went I guess it was just sheer relief and emotions – the group has come so far.

“It was just a culmination of the effort everyone has put in – whether you’re a player, coach or someone behind the scenes.

“The whole club works so hard, it’s a reward for everyone to enjoy.”

Individually, Rohan Kerr took out best on ground honours, edging out a four-goal haul from Jeffrey Carter and a star display from Joel O’Driscoll.