Country Championships: Despair for Great Southern Storm after missing colts grand final by percentage

Two wins on the final day of the colts division at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships has not been enough for the Great Southern Storm to reach the grand final. Heartbreakingly the Storm, representing the Great Southern Football League, fell short by percentage despite a terrific two days at the annual championships. The Storm split their games on the first day but produced a wonderful second day, beating Peel and then Kimberley. However a 15-point win over Peel and then a narrow four-point triumph over Kimberley was not enough to spring themselves into the top two of the standings. Peel and South West also finished with three wins and one loss, that pair meeting in the decider. Both Peel (182.50%) and South West (121.65%) had a superior percentage over the Storm, who finished with 104.39. In their final qualifying game the Storm needed a big win to boost their hopes of making the grand final but they trailed by one point at the break. The Storm dug deep but and kicked three goals via Flynn Jackman, Ryan Lazar and George Bockman to snatch victory, 5.3 (33) to 4.5 (29). George Bockman and Lazar each booted two majors while Joley Graham was superb in defence and Jordan Hulm and Mitchell Paine won plenty of the ball. Earlier in a low-scoring affair, the Storm again came from behind to upset Peel. The Storm kicked three unanswered goals in the second half to score a memorable 4.2 (26) to 1.5 (11) win, as Lazar, Caleb Haua and George Bockman all found the big sticks when it mattered. Lazar finished with two goals and was well supported by Teague Valli, Aiden Clark and George Bockman in the win. The Storm were dealt a blow to start day two with midfield star Kaleb Germain ruled out with a serious ankle injury and then lost spearhead Jaiden Mole to injury for the final game.