Football Matters with Cyclops

The Burdekin Colts Under 18s capped off an extraordinary season in dramatic fashion, overcoming the Warriors in a thrilling Grand Final to claim the premiership and complete an undefeated campaign. Photo supplied

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The Panthers had three matches over the weekend as part of the Finals series. The Premiers and Reserves both played in Preliminary Finals, and the Colts played in their Grand Final. In a very good weekend, all three teams won. On Friday night, the Colts beat Warriors on penalties after a 1-1 draw to add the Grand Final to their Minor Premiership. On Saturday, the Reserves beat Saints Eagles Souths 3-2 to advance to the Grand Final, and the Premiers beat MA Olympic 5-1 to also advance to their Grand Final.

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This Saturday, the Premiers and Reserves are both involved in Grand Finals, and both are against Minor Premiers Brothers. The Premiers kick off at 8.00 pm and the Reserves at 3.00 pm.

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Premiers – Ayr Anzac Club

Having not beaten MA Olympic all season, with each previous meeting decided by a single goal, the Panthers knew progressing to the Grand Final was going to require a big performance. Things couldn’t have started much worse, with Olympic finding the back of the net inside the opening minute. Burdekin slowly grew into the contest, beginning to create chances and causing problems with balls in behind the Olympic defence. Their persistence finally paid off just before half-time when Matthew Walker found the equaliser to send the teams into the break at 1–1.

The Panthers came out firing in the second half. Twenty minutes in, Jay Leckenby put the Burdekin ahead before Elliott Dal Santo doubled the advantage ten minutes later. From there, the floodgates opened. Just two minutes later, Sean Young made it 4–1 before Jeremy Dal Santo capped off an incredible second-half performance with a fifth goal. A 5–1 victory when it mattered most sends the Panthers into the Grand Final and sets up a huge clash against Brothers, a rematch of the 2024 Grand Final.

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Reserves – Burdekin Tyre Service

A place in the Grand Final awaited the victor of the Reserves clash with Saints. Burdekin started well and had good possession, asserting their dominance after six minutes with a well-taken goal from Jonte Grazioli.

The game settled into a back-and-forth affair, and whilst the Panthers were playing well, the goals didn’t come. At the fortieth-minute mark, Saints made a successful raid and scored to even the game.

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Despite the even score, the Panthers were confident of victory and resumed in the second half with the same dominance. In the fifty-sixth minute, Jonte Grazioli scored again to restore the Burdekin’s lead. As had been the case in the first half, Burdekin again created chances without reward.

From there, it took the effort of all to keep Saints at bay, and confidence was high. By the eightieth minute, the Panthers should have had a comfortable lead, but Saints scored a good goal to bring the score back to 2-2.

For the last ten minutes, pressure was building on both sides, and the chance of extra time was looming large. It took until the second minute of injury time before Jonte Grazioli created a chance and crossed for Jack Gimson to steer in the winner from the back post at short range. A great result that now sees Burdekin Reserves into their first Grand Final for many years.

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Colts – Astute Finance

The Burdekin Colts Under 18s capped off an extraordinary season in dramatic fashion, overcoming the Warriors in a thrilling Grand Final to claim the premiership and complete an undefeated campaign.

The match got off to the worst possible start for the Colts, with the Warriors finding the net in just the fifth minute. Despite this setback, the Colts responded with determination, controlling large periods of the contest and creating multiple opportunities, but the Warriors' defence stood firm.

As the game wore on, the Colts continued to push for an equaliser, knowing their perfect season was hanging by a thread. The challenge became even greater in the 82nd minute when the Colts were reduced to 10 men following a sending-off, leaving the side facing an uphill battle with time running out.

Showing the resilience that had defined their season, the Colts refused to surrender and, deep into stoppage time, in the 93rd minute, their persistence was finally rewarded.

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Jhett Jones produced a moment of brilliance, getting on the end of a good pass from Dylan O’Shea and finishing superbly to fire home the equaliser and send the travelling Colts supporters into celebration.

With the scores locked at 1-1, the match headed into extra time. Despite being a man down, the Colts dug deep and displayed incredible character, organisation and defensive discipline to withstand thirty gruelling minutes against a full-strength Warriors side.

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Unable to be separated after extra time, the Grand Final would be decided by penalties. The Colts held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties and limiting the Warriors to just two, securing a 4-2 shootout victory.

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Penalty scorers were Ryley Siandri, Jhett Jones, Brayden Card and Charlie Predabon. The result crowned the Burdekin Colts Under 18s as Grand Final champions and completed an unbeaten season, a remarkable achievement that reflects the hard work, commitment and spirit shown by the players and coaching staff throughout the year.

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From falling behind early, to playing with ten men, to finding a stoppage-time equaliser and prevailing in a penalty shootout, this Grand Final victory will be remembered as one of the most courageous performances of the season.

The last game this team will play together is on 27th September in Cairns for the Crad Evans Trophy against Edge Hill United.

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