Marrar officially locked up their third minor premiership in four seasons with a 50-point win at Coleambally on Saturday.
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The Bombers were already unbackable favourites to finish on top but the 13.9 (87) to 5.7 (37) win put it beyond doubt, keeping them three wins clear of East Wagga-Kooringal with two rounds left.
The Bombers had been beaten at Coleambally in 2019, an upset that ultimately cost them the minor premiership that season. That appeared fresh in the memory when they came out and charged to a 48-point lead by half-time.
"It was a really strong first half, I was real happy - we were good around the clearances and transitioned the ball forward well from the clearances," Marrar coach Shane Lenon said.
"They had a good third quarter, Coly, they were on top, but we ran the game out well."
The Blues had more than pride to play for, hoping to honour club legend Shane Pound who was equalling the record for senior games for Coleambally with his 333rd appearance.
But there was to be no fairytale, despite some heroics from co-coach Luke Hillier, who finished with three goals from the midfield, while Pound kicked one.
Jack Reynolds led the way for Marrar with a wealth of possession across half-back while Chris O'Donnell was powerful through the middle and Toby Lawler booted four goals in a different forward set up.
In the absence of James Lawton, Dayne Hancock and Rhys Mooney, Lawler played deeper while Hugh Templeton and Cane Graetz snared three each.
Lenon said the minor premiership was a significant effort but stuck to his mantra that it reflects the regular season only and, come the second week of finals, it will count for little.
"It's a great achievement and reward for hard work - the group's put in a lot of hard work and they don't cut corners," Lenon said.
"But we haven't mentioned it. All it does is it gives you the first week of finals off. To me, once finals start, it all starts again. The home-and-away season is finished. Half the teams can start cricket practice and it all starts again... but our focus is still on the last home-and-away game."
Marrar have the bye this week and are then at home to Barellan. They could have those three absent forwards back against Barellan while Zach Walgers, Cal Gardner and Sam Emery (who kicked seven goals in the under 17.5s) should also be available for selection.
Full-time:
Marrar 2.2, 9.4, 10.6, 13.9 (87)
Coleambally 0.2, 1.4, 5.5, 5.7 (37)
Goals: (Marrar):
Tobias Lawler 4, Hugh Templeton 3, Cane Graetz 3, John Hoey 1, Chris O'Donnell 1, Jackson Moye 1; (Coleambally) Luke Hillier 3, Shane Pound 1, Lachlan Evans 1.
Best: (Marrar) Jack Reynolds, Chris O'Donnell, Tobias Lawler, Blake Walker, Nicholas Molkentin, Dan O'Bryan; (Coleambally) Luke Hillier, Lachlan Evans, Darcy Mader, Shane Pound, Jacob Breed, Luke Baker.
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