UGSFL 2025: Wagin young guns cap strong finish to fourths competition with grand final win over Wickepin

Wagin have capped an outstanding finish to the Upper Great Southern Football League fourths competition, rising to premiership glory over Wickepin in Katanning on Sunday. The Bulldogs under-14 side struggled for numbers early on but fought on, turning their season into a successful one after their 17-point grand final win at Quartermaine Oval. The determined young Bulldogs finished second on the ladder with 10 wins in the regular season, before knocking off undefeated minor premiers Katanning Wanderers in the second semi-final. That was the catalyst for their flag win, the Bulldogs kicking three goals to nil in a strong first half of the grand final. The Warriors were in good form coming into the decider, knocking off Williams in the first semi-final and then the Tigers in the preliminary final. However, they managed only one behind in the first half, as the well-rested Bulldogs took control. A 19-point half-time margin was trimmed in the third as the Warriors booted two goals to one. The Bulldogs had countless opportunities in the fourth quarter and despite struggling to convert, they went on to win 5.6 (36) to 3.1 (19). Impressive players for the winners were Phillip Garlett, Hugh Murray, Zealand Roberts, Dallas Stallan-vizer, Darby Ball and Alexander Abbott. They shared the goalkicking around with Roberts, Garlett, Tallan Boundy, Will Robinson and Dallas Stallan-Vizer all contributing on the scoreboard. Despite the loss, Warriors’ Grayden Bayley, Bailee Pike, Joel Hay, Logan Pike and Dylan Miller worked hard throughout the contest. Wickepin’s Pike and Wagin’s Garlett were named best on ground for their teams and the Les Grout Medal as the association’s fairest and best went to Brookton-Pingelly’s Kieran Lee.