OFA 2024: Years of hurt spurred Lake Grace-Pingrup to drought-breaking flag says coach Carruthers

They say third time’s a charm. A drought-breaking Lake Grace-Pingrup drew on years of heartache before lifting their first Ongerup Football Association premiership in more than a decade, according to player-coach Jack Carruthers. The Bombers had fallen at the final hurdle in each of the past two seasons and in two other grand finals since 2012. But this year, the flag belonged to the Bombers. Speaking candidly in the thick of premiership celebrations, Carruthers said those tough times galvanised his group as they emerged with a memorable 34-point victory over powerhouses Gnowangerup in Jerramungup on Saturday. “For three years we’ve been building, probably longer for a few of the older boys, but just the resilience over last two years is awesome,” Carruthers said. “We said to the boys before today as long as we give it everything we’ve got for 100 minutes, we’ll live with the result. “But to grind it out the way we did was super effort and I’m just so proud of them.” Carruthers booted a match-winning three goals and set up another in a stellar third term to help lead his side to the famous 12.5 (77) to 6.7 (43) triumph. But a humble Carruthers insisted he was just the beneficiary of his side’s manic pressure around the contest. “I think I’m just lucky to get onto the end of a few,” he said. “I think the (midfield) up the ground did a power of work. “The midfield and the back line were superb and us forwards were able to get on top and I was just lucky. “There was not one passenger from the whole team, everyone played their role.” The Bombers were resolute in defence, holding the potent Bulldogs to just two goals and three goals in each quarter they kicked with a strong wind advantage. “I thought our second quarter and our fourth quarter into the breeze, just to hold them was awesome,” Carruthers said. “They’re a good side and they can score pretty quick, but just to hold them like that probably won us the game.” Bulldogs player-coach Timm House said his side did not adapt to the conditions as well as their opponents. “(The Bombers) used the dead side of the ground well when we had the breeze but I think we probably got too carried away when kicking with the breeze, trying to maybe score a bit too quickly,” House said. “When he tried to look after the ball but our kicking efficiency wasn’t very good, especially going with the breeze it didn’t help us and we turned it over a lot.” Despite the sour end to the season, the former Claremont Tiger and Geelong listed-player appreciated the opportunity to return to his boyhood club as head coach and remained optimistic to resume the position in 2024. “I’ve enjoyed the year, it’s been good and everyone’s been eager to learn and get better, which I’ve enjoyed,” he said. “I‘d be pretty keen if the club wanted me to go around again, but we’ll work through that over the next month or two.”