What a huge opportunity to be playing in a grand final, especially in my first year as coach.
After we came down from the win against Milawa the week before my focus was now switched to Moyhu, who had only lost one game this year and beat us by 10 points last time.
We had two players (Joel O'Keeffe and Kyle Simpson) come off during the game last week and while the early diagnoses were positive, this would eventually turn to very doubtful by Thursday.
As disappointed as I felt for both these guys it opened up the door for two other players, and that pair was Tim Aumann and Jarrod Everitt.
During the week I wasn't too nervous, and Thursday night was really exciting as the boys trained well and plenty of supporters came down.
Friday night was probably the worst night I have had with regards to preparation and team tactics as my mind was racing at this stage and I honestly could not think straight.
Finally the day arrived and what a glorious one at that.
As the game drew closer I could sense the boys were eager to get out and get into it and I was the same.
The waiting around before the game was killing me, but eventually we ran out onto the ground.
The start of the game was so intense it felt like I had missed the whole first quarter.
Mohyu came out all guns blazing and kicked the first four goals of the match, which came as a bit of a surprise because I had a sense our guys would get the jump.
Still, we managed to settle with our first score and now we were off and running, and even though Moyhu had the majority of play we were only one goal down by quarter time.
It was goal for goal in the second quarter and at halftime we were in front by two points.
Halftime was a good chance for the guys to regroup and relax a bit.
The weather was fairly warm and quite humid so we got into the Rovers gym where it was a lot cooler and I told the boys just to rest up and keep the fluids going.
The main message for the second half was just to keep the intensity through our tackling and pressure on the ball carrier.
Again the third quarter was a seesawing affair as neither side would give an inch, and by the end of the term we were three points ahead with 30 minutes left for the year.
At the beginning of the last quarter we managed to get the first goal and also a couple of points to have our highest lead of the game, which was 10 points, but this was never going to be enough.
Moyhu was quickly able to reduce this back in a scenario that repeated itself until the last couple of minutes, when they got their noses in front.
We had a couple of missed shots at goal and to my gutted disbelief we fell an agonising two points short.
I didn't think you could have split the two sides apart, and as I said on the day there can only be one winner and that was Moyhu.
To their credit they were the best team in the competition and deserved winners.
I now look forward to a few weeks off footy and spending some time with my wife and kids, and I will look back over this year and be very proud of what we have achieved as a team and club.
By - TARRAWINGEE COACH: FINTON EAMES
AS ONE: Tarrawingee players come together before the start of the grand final.
PHOTO: Cheryl Browne
Last Modified on 03/10/2011 15:10