Lions roar to first premiership in 25 years in convincing style,

Newdegate Lions have ended a 25-year premiership drought in convincing fashion against Gnowangerup at the weekend, downing the reigning flag holders by 58 points.

On a sunny Saturday afternoon at Lake Grace oval, the stage was set for a thrilling Ongerup Football Association decider rematch between last year’s grand finalists.

In 2015, the Bulldogs were firm favourites heading into the last game of the year, but after suffering three heavy losses to the Lions throughout this season and taking the longer route to the grand final from third place on the ladder, it was Newdegate who went into Saturday’s match the favourites with everything to lose.

The game got off to a predictably nervous start with both teams keeping the ball in tight and restricting the other from getting any run or rhythm.

The Dogs were able to strike first through Lomas Ugle, who hit a set shot 40m out at the six-minute mark before a hard-running Zane Bolton conjured up a second for Gnowangerup, giving his side a 12- point lead half-way through the opening term.

In the dying minutes of the first quarter, Newdegate began to find their run through best-on-ground Dylan Gilbert, whose strength and speed through the middle was unmatched by Gnowangerup.

Dean Rintoul and Gilbert each goaled for the Lions to leave the game tied up at two goals each at quarter- time.

The second quarter saw the Lions burst out of the blocks and send the ball inside their attacking 50 immediately.

After a couple of behinds, the Lions found some accuracy and started to pile on the goals with Kim Newman and Jarrad Offer kicking two each in a five-goal to one second quarter that gave Newdegate a 28-point lead heading into the main break.

On the rare occasion the Dogs kicked inside their 50, the ever-reliable Lions fullback Jeremy Richardson was there to drive the ball straight back out again.

Gnowangerup stemmed the flow in the third term but were unable to stop the Lions extending their lead by a further nine points.

The final term started in a flurry with both teams kicking two goals each within the first four minutes before Newdegate kicked another four unanswered goals to take the premiership in convincing style against a Gnowangerup team who couldn’t match their all-day run and accurate kicking.

Newdegate coach Troy Newton said his team was absolutely brilliant.

“Not just the 22 out there today, but the boys that missed out, too,” he said.

“It’s the 30-odd people this year, and over the last couple of years, that have contributed to the result today.”

Lions captain David Newman said his team had been training for this moment for 25 years.

“It’s been a long time coming,” he said. “Gnowangerup has definitely been up there all year and our boys brought it today and we’re pretty happy with the win.”

Newman said this win was for the older guys who had been fighting their guts out to get another flag for the club.

“Westy (Clint Westlake) is 42 years old and still playing league, so this is brilliant for all those guys,” he said.