By Nick Creely
When success eludes a team for so long, it makes clubs question themselves and puts pressure on the next batch coming through to deliver glory.
Premiership droughts are testing times for football clubs, and only the strongest clubs can break through the barrier when the pressure ramps up.
For the Noble Park U19s, who had endured 32 long years in the premiership wilderness before finally breaking through against Vermont, the self-belief and confidence within was unwavering.
In a low scoring affair, the U19s prevailed by 22 points over Vermont, and in the process achieving a feat the club always knew was around the corner.
Life member David Spence, who the Best and Fairest award is named after, was thrilled for the club and its achievements this season.
“I would just like to really congratulate the guys.
“This club, Noble Park, really is an exceptional club.”
Cr Roz Blades of the City of Greater Dandenong, who was on hand to deliver the coach a certificate of congratulations for the outstanding achievement at the Peter Reece Medal, recognised the achievement and the club’s journey to win the flag.
“I’ve got a certificate of recognition for the coach of the Noble Park Football Club U19s.
“This awards is to do with the players, coaches, parents that claimed a very significant premiership for Noble Park.
“Congratulations to them on behalf of the City of Greater Dandenong,” Blades said.
People within the football club remarked on the night how highly they rate coach Jamie Barnett and talked about how he has been a positive influence on the young footballers.
Captain of the U19s victory, Alex Aiello, echoed these remarks, and thanked everyone from the support staff, coaches to parents for all their hard work throughout the year.
“Just on behalf of all the U19s, we thank you for your contribution and hard work in helping us get this premiership,” Aiello said.
“Jamie, you’ve especially had a fantastic year coaching the boys,”
“Thankyou very much for all your help and the boys really do appreciate it.
The biggest highlight of the night however, was the entire U19s premiership side on stage singing the club song with gusto and passion, proudly showing off their silverware in front of their fans.
The spirit never really left the Bulls, all it took was one premiership to re-discover why this club has been so highly successful over the last 30 years.
Perhaps this premiership is the kick-started for a dynasty of success for the Noble Park U19s.
