Storm finish third after final day victory, Peel down Goldfields to win overall title

Great Southern Storm have finished third while Peel claimed overall victory at the 2021 Great Southern Colts Carnival in Kulin this afternoon. Heading into the second day of the carnival Storm were third on the ladder but their bid to win the title was already over, with Peel and Goldfields undefeated. Storm took on eventual winners Peel in their opening game and despite a gallant effort they went down by 45 points. Max Baker kicked the first goal of the game but Peel stepped up from that point on and slotted six unanswered goals to take a comfortable 35 point lead into half-time. Carson Bristow slotted the Storm’s only major of the second half and despite Storm keeping their opponents to just three goals in the last half, they went down 2.5 (17) to 9.8 (62). Darcy Wallinger was very impressive for Storm while Noah Madaffari and Rhori Williams-Jolley were strong contributors. A spirited effort in their second game of the day helped them finish off the carnival on a winning note against Upper Great Southern. After trailing by two points at the main change, Storm charged home booting three unanswered goals in the second half to help them prevail 6.5 (41) to 3.4 (22). Ryan Lazar kicked the final two goals of the game to help seal the victory and he finished with three in total while Bristow added two and Baker slotted a first half major as well. Williams-Jolley chopped plenty of attacks off across half-back while Lazar was lively and Madaffari was rock solid. Peel and Goldfields both headed into their fixture undefeated, meaning it was essentially a grand final. A strong second half helped Peel secure the comprehensive 49-point victory and the overall title. Peel booted eight goals to two in the second half to finish big winners, 11.4 (70) to 3.3 (21). Blake Morrissy was named best on ground for Peel. Esperance finished fourth with three wins edging out Upper Great Southern by percentage while Eastern Districts won their final game over Ongerup to notch their first victory of the weekend and keep the latter winless. Bailey Norris from Peel won the Hayden Reeves Medal for best player at the carnival.