Country Championships: Remarkable turnaround as Great Southern go back-to-back and win division two decider

Great Southern are celebrating deserved title success, pulling off a remarkable division two grand final victory over Upper Great Southern at Sullivan Logistics Stadium on Sunday. Having won the division three decider at the annual Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Championships in 2024, Great Southern achieved the rare feat of back-to-back titles after their brilliant performance in division two this year. The 31-point domination over Upper Great Southern completed a fairytale return to representative football in the past two years. From a league that failed to send a senior team to the championships in 2022 to one that will now play in division one in 2026 – this was a win to savour for the Great Southern. Great Southern kicked the only three goals of the first half in the grand final, to set up their 8.4 (52) to 2.9 (21) triumph. Midfielder Jayden Scott won the Nutrien Ag Solutions Medal as best-on-ground in the grand final while Jyrin Woods finished with four goals. Darcy Wallinger was outstanding between the arcs, both in the air and on the ground, while key defender Bodhi Stubber was impassable at half back. Morgan Davies provided great rebound from the back half and captain Isaac Baum was a wonderful link-up target for the winners. Former AFL player Brett Peake, who still relishes the big moments at age 42, soccered through the opening major before Woods came to life in the second and converted twice to give Great Southern a 17-point half time buffer. Travis Conn and then Woods made Upper Great Southern’s task of a comeback even harder with the first two majors of the third term. The margin ballooned out to beyond 30 points with only a touch of class from Upper Great Southern veterans Simon Panizza and Dion Anthony halting Great Southern briefly. Anthony broke his side’s goal drought with a lovely finish on the run but Wallinger and Woods ensured Great Southern went into the last break with a 35-point buffer and their tails up. Upper Great Southern kicked two behinds to start the final term and when Will Wiggett snapped their second, the margin was 27 points but time was running out. Fittingly Baum sealed the win, as his conversion started the championship celebrations for a side that had come from the clouds.