HANWOOD has exacted revenge for last year's grand final loss to Lake Albert with a dominant 3-1 victory in Sunday's decider at Equex Centre.
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The Griffith outfit were too quick on the flanks and posed far greater threat going forward, setting up the win with a near clinical first half.
It was also their first win over Lake Albert in reserve grade since joining Football Wagga last year.
Hanwood scored first in the 11th minute after a beautiful pass from the left wing by Jacob Zonatta put Daniel Rogato one on one with the keeper.
Nineteen minutes later Zonatta turned provider, delivering a pass from the right flank onto the head of Ryan McWhirter, who steers the ball into the corner of the goal.
Lake Albert get back into the game a couple of minutes later after Hanwood keeper Bryce Crawford failed to deal with a corner, and after a ricochet near the goal mouth Dipu Kuriakose is credited with a goal. Hanwood.
Six minutes after half-time Zanatta restored Hanwood's two-goal buffer after pouncing on a nice through ball from Blake Potts.
Rogato was named player of the match for a strong display down the left flank, while Zanatta was influential on the right.
The game petered out somewhat in the final half hour, and Lake Albert couldn't find the attacking threat needed to make Hanwood nervous.
"We've been working on for the last few weeks to get ready for this day," Hanwood coach Brian Bertolin said.
"Because we have a young squad the running part isn't an issue, and the defensive pressure up top helped us get those goals.
"Our strength lies on the wings with Daniel and Jacob, if we can get it out there they're deadly with their crosses and getting it behind the defence.
"We've never beaten them before and to come out when it matters most and put on a display like that, the boys really deserve it."
Rogato didn't play last season after undergoing a knee operation, but he was a constant menace to Lake Albert all game.
Lake Albert dominated the opening few minutes, but couldn't find a goal.
"From the start we really turned it up today and everyone put in a great effort," Rogato said.
"I was lucky the guys put me through for the goal and I'm very happy.
"They're a stellar team, they've set the benchmark for years and it feels good to take it off them."
Lake Albert marksman Shaun Bryder was named the Gardiner Shield's player of the year.
HANWOOD 3 (Daniel Rogato 11', Ryan McWhirter 30', Jacob Zanatta 51') def LAKE ALBERT 1 (Dipu Kuriakose 34') at Equex Centre on Sunday.
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