The Invincibles.
Pakenham’s under-18s have written their names into the history books at Toomuc Reserve by completing an unblemished season with a triumph in the grand final against Seville on Saturday.
The Lions were the benchmark of the competition all season long, going 15-0 in the home-and-away season with an astounding 1107 percent.
Pakenham then comfortably dealt with the Blues in the second semi-final before outlasting a brave effort from the same side in the big dance.
After Ryder Cachia nailed the first of the match, a pair of goals to emerging forward Zak De Bono in the opening period set the tone for the massive day he was about to have.
More importantly, he put the Lions on top 3.2(20) to 1.3(9) at quarter time.
De Bono then caused mayhem, booting another three in as many minutes to blow the game open and apply pressure to Seville.
The response for the Blues came through River Benninga slotting the last of the first half to bring the scoreboard to 6.4(40) to 2.6(18) at the main intermission.
It was a goal frenzy out of halftime as the teams combined for nine goals in the third quarter with Seville managing five of them.
De Bono broke free for two more goals in the period, bringing his tally to seven, but the Blues were in striking distance by narrowing the deficit down below three goals at the last change.
The contest tightened up and became congested in the final frame with both teams struggling to score.
Seville looked threatening, despite missing some chances, but most crucially the Blues had completely broken the Lions’ composure.
Multiple 25-metre penalties led to Max Shepherd bringing the margin back to single digits; but it was too little too late and the siren echoed around Yarra Glen Reserve a few minutes later.
The final score read a 10.6(66) to 8.9(57) Pakenham triumph, the Lions’ only game closer than 27 points for the entire season.
Coach James Perkins became a back-to-back premiership mentor with the young Lions after bringing the ultimate success to Toomuc last year in the Premier Division under-19s.
“They really had to earn it,” he said of the game.
“They’re all mates, so it was really good to celebrate their last year of underage footy and they have a bond that will last forever now.
“To see the joys and relief on their faces was amazing.
“It’s huge for the club and it’s so pleasing for the boys.”
Perkins’ program has been a revelation since he came across from Cora Lynn, guiding the age bracket to two consecutive flags after not fielding a side in 2023.
And the successes stem further than hoisting the cup; many of his players this season and graduates from 2024 have broken out and appeared in the senior side.
“It’s so good for the footy club going forward,” he reflected on the flag and the year.
“To know that you’ve got an influx of up to 30 guys in your seniors from the last two years that can lead the club into the next decade, that’s huge.
“To have a 19s and an 18s premiership, it puts the club in good stead.”
