Coach Craig Otto is a proud, if somewhat tired man, after the four-hour return drive from the Great Southern Colts Carnival held in Kulin over June 12-13.
His young charges blitzed the competition taking home the trophy in an undefeated display of footballing prowess.
The Peel Cavalier Colts did themselves and the Peel region proud beating a strong Goldfields team to win 70-21 in the grand final on Sunday.
"I'm really humbled and proud of what we did," Otto said.
"We wanted to win, that was our aim.
"We didn't just want to go away for the weekend, we wanted to make it worthwhile.
"We took 27 players down there who all took it on on chin. They were a really disciplined side and I couldn't be prouder," he enthused.
The squad, selected from the seven Peel Football League colts teams, ranged in age from 16 to 19 years.
Not only did they take home the top prize, but Pinjarra midfielder Bailey Norris won overall Fairest and Best at only his second time at the event and Blake Morrissy from Halls Head was named Best Player in the grand final.
"It was a really good achievement," Otto said.
"Even though there wasn't an official award for the leading goal scorer, I'd like to acknowledge Corey Tregenza-Cashell for kicking the most goals too."
"It wasn't expected, but the way the team played was a credit to the boys."
Coach Craig Otto
On the back of such a fine display, five of the Peel's players were selected in the Great Southern 20, which is an all-stars team made up of the best players from the seven teams who competed.
The players named in the side were Blake Morrissy, Bailey Norris, Zane Sutherland, Corey Tregenza-Cashell and Owen Davidson.
The carnival is always a great test of stamina and determination, with Peel playing four games on the Saturday, then two games on the Sunday.
The second game scheduled on Sunday turned into the grand final as it had come down to the top two teams.
"It wasn't expected, but the way the team played was a credit to the boys," Otto said proudly.
It was Otto's first time at the Great Southern Carnival and he was appreciative of the support and hard work of his assistant coaches, Jake Wriggley, Ben Otto and Kevin Dalgetty.
The Cavaliers will be facing an even greater challenge in Mandurah with the Nutrien-Ag Carnival (formerly known as Landmark) which is being played across July 8-9.
"It's an even stronger carnival with teams from across the whole state," Otto said, but he's confident his team has what it takes take on the other teams and do well.
