WE DID IT: Hanwood Juniors celebrate their win in style.
IF ANYBODY questioned the passion from an all-Hanwood grand final would be missing, they only needed to look at the sea of celebrating Juniors fans at full-time yesterday.
Proving they are no longer the little brother, Hanwood Juniors secured a gutsy 1-0 win against Hanwood FC to claim the Griffith and District first grade title.
The anomaly of an all-Hanwood grand final was never more evident than when both sides formed a circle pre-kick-off, but once the whistle went, hostilities ensued.
Juniors played almost the perfect brand of football for a decider, after securing the only goal through Tim McIntosh in the 20th minute, they defended like their lives depended on it.
Wave after wave of attacking raids by HFC were repelled, with every saved chance or ball cleared from Juniors' danger zone, being met with cheers from the large crowd at Hanwood Oval.
McIntosh said the win could be a changing of the guard in local football, adding the side has earned a new level of respect from its rivals.
"It means a lot obviously to get the win, we've always been the little brother, but now we're not," McIntosh said.
"Definitely it could be the start of something, the beginning of next season we can go in a different direction.
"We're just a bunch of mates that have been together for the past five years, and now it's finally paid off."
Hanwood FC coach Michael Catanzariti could offer up no excuses for his side's loss, saying simply Juniors wanted the win more than his side and were first to the ball almost all game.
"There was plenty (of feeling) in it, but they're the deserving winners today," Catanzariti said.
"They had more hunger, and I take responsibility in some ways, because they were a lot hungrier.