Melton Warriors capped their incredible season off with a drought breaking premiership win in the Rugby Union Victoria premiership reserves competition.
The Warriors faced the Brimbank Bucks second side in the big dance and were on a roll in the 32-17 win.
The Warriors were undefeated throughout their entire 2023 campaign, dominating sides throughout the year, boasting 296 points more than their oppositions. The side’s strength was demonstrated in their 72-0 preliminary final win against Kiwi Hawthorn’s second side.
Warriors coach Paul Westerlund said it was a great achievement for the club.
“It was definitely a beautiful day,” he said. “Playing at that level, our club has never achieved this, so not only that we were able to go through undefeated but it was history made.
“A new group of old fellas, mixed in with the oldies in there, were able to come up with the outcome.”
It’s the first time that the club has won a premiership at this level.
Now the Warriors have their eyes set on reaching the premiership division.
“That’s definitely the goal,” Westerlund said.
“We’re looking at a five year goal at this stage.
“My vision as a head coach is that once we achieve something we just have to look at the next level and just keep moving forward to test ourselves.”
With a group of young talent rising through the ranks at Melton, Westerlund is confident that his club will be in the top flight of Victoria’s rugby union, the VAILO Dewar Shield, within the next five years.
“We have a lot of young fellas coming through with potential, who are very determined to stay around the club,” he said.
“Loyalty is something that we’re really focused on as a team, building culture and that’s definitely the vision that we have and the players are in the same boat.”
Harper Sercombe
