Kangaroos Remarkable Finals Run Falls Just Short Of Completing Perfect Day

Kangaroos looked down and out coming off two heavy losses in the weeks leading into the Group Nine finals series.

However they picked themselves up off the canvas to almost pull off a remarkable grand final victory.

Not even a slow start in the decider, after Young dominated the early stages to lead 10-0, deterred them.

Instead the Wagga club surged to the lead 13 minutes into the second half and had their noses in front for all but the last four minutes of the clash.

After coming through must-win finals games against Albury, Gundagai and Temora to make it through to the decider, Kangaroos president Peter Hurst was proud of the resilience the side showed despite a number of injury setbacks.

"Injuries played a big part in our season and having a few return and having continuity of team really showed dividends towards the back half of the season," Hurst said.

"We had good combinations, the bit of continuity helped us and that's when the boys started to put it together and I thought we played our best footy at tail end of the season.

"That's what you want to do and I think to be were we came from finishing fourth and to get done by four points in the grand final is a massive effort from our boys, the coaching staff with a massive shout out to Nathan (Rose) and Skip (Adam Perry) and all the support staff.

"These boys get to do the best thing of all, play the greatest game of all, but the support staff entitle those guys to do it so it's a massive thank you to everyone in the club."

Hurst thought their recovery after Young surged to an early lead showed the fight in the side.

They just couldn't quite hold on to end a title drought of their own.

"I think it was a testament to the boys as they knew the Cherrypickers would come out hard for the first 20 but they just had to weather the storm," he said.

"We saw a bit of traction in the second half of the first half and I think we were on top.

"Stoppages hurt us desperately today, as I think we were the fitter team, and that's not taking away from the winners.

"There has to be a winner and loser and full credit to Young. They got the hoodoo off their back and that's a massive effort."

Despite first grade just falling short of their first title since 2009, for the second year running, Hurst believes there are plenty of positives for the club moving forward.

To read more from this article visit The Daily Advertiser.