Four of the best for Hills

By Marc McGowan

ENDEAVOUR Hills is the toast of the Dandenong and District Junior Football League after winning four premierships on Sunday.
The club, which is in its 30th year, always looked set for a huge weekend, with six of its eight teams reaching grand finals. The four flags topped Endeavour Hills’ trio of victories on grand final day in each of the last two years.
The club also won four premierships in 2000.
Endeavour Hills committee member Mario Aiezza was ecstatic at the club’s success.
“I’m proud as punch … it’s a major effort for four out of our eight teams to win,” he said.
“We’re not the richest club and don’t have the best facilities, but I think the calibre of the families in the area and the work ethic of the families to provide a good atmosphere is second to none.”
Endeavour Hills’ triumph in the under-14 Division Two competition and Mossgiel Park’s win in the under-12 Premier Division also demonstrated the sportsmanship in junior football.
The two clubs were battling to fill sides in those age groups and decided to work together.
Mossgiel Park sent its under-14 players to Endeavour Hills, and Endeavour Hills’ under-12 players went to Mossgiel Park – producing a desirable result for both clubs.
Fountain Gate also tasted multiple premiership success, taking out the under-11 (Red) and under-10 (Blue) divisions.
The under-11 (Red) grand final between the Gators and Berwick was a titanic struggle.
Neither team scored in the opening three quarters, with Fountain Gate finally prevailing with one straight kick to one behind.
The Gators’ under-10 (Blue) side went through the entire season undefeated.
Fountain Gate president David Shaw said the great results were a reflection on the people involved at his club.
“The attitude of the coaches and the kids was always positive and the parents backed the coaches 100 per cent all year,” he said.
“We’re a very family-oriented club and we really push that family participation.”
Narre Warren won one premiership from its four grand final representatives, while other local clubs to achieve ultimate success were Narre North Foxes and Berwick.