They may not have got the win, but coach Steve Smith says the Dubbo Demons under 12's side left him very very impressed after a gusty showing during their grand final clash with Cowra.
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"We've got a young, small side and Cowra are a lot bigger side than us," Smith said.
"So just to get to the final in our first year back in the comp, I'm very, very happy as their coach, and the parents are happy too, and the kids had a great time, which is what it's about."
A best-on-ground performance from Cowra's Mason Bright earned the Blues their second premiership in as many years in the AFLCW's junior grand finals in Bathurst's George Park.
Cowra put up a complete performance in their 35 point win against the favoured Dubbo Juniors, but it was one that was earned over the whole four quarters.
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"Full credit to Cowra, I think that's four years in a row now they've won the under 12's, we went in as the favourites after our performance over the season, but we couldn't quite get it done," Smith said.
While the Blues got the early jump on the Demons, a couple of late goals meant that the Demons were still in touch at quarter time.
The second quarter, where the Baby Blues put three on the board to have a six goal to three lead at half-time would prove to be crucial in the match, with Shema Parafait's ruck work outstanding in giving the Blues the upper hand.
While the second half of the match was more closely fought, and the young Blues perhaps a little over-exuberant as they peppered the goals - though Samone Hyland and Jo Roberts' work forward was also effective - the Blues controlled the game's tempo to ensure victory.
While Smith conceded that his side was trying to have 'too few players do too much', he also said their best performers had turned in some credible work during the loss.
"Cooper Smith will be the best and fairest this year and he was hands down the best player on the field for Dubbo by a mile, good players stand up in Grand Finals, and he certainly did that for us," Smith said.
"He was well supported by Austin Hunt, Declan McGregor had a good, strong game of football and James Armour, did a lot of good defensive things on the day."
"They're definitely the best four players in the side and the best players played really well on the day, so we couldn't have done too much more."
- UNDER 12s: COWRA BLUES 9.12.66 (Goals: Murray 4, Bright 2, Walford, Hyland, Parafait) def DUBBO JUNIORS 5.1.31 (Goals: Smith 2, Bayliss, Armour, Dunn)