Kojonup captain Matthew Marinoni and coach Gavin Norrish reflect on grand final win and strong season

The Kojonup Cougars celebrated their 100th year as a football club with an amazing season and winning the premiership in a close grand final against Bridgetown in Boyup Brook. The Cougars had a strong season and went into the finals feeling confident with how their matches turned out, beating Bridgetown by nine points in a nailbiting match.. Looking back, both Kojonup coach Gavin Norrish and league team captain Matt Marinoni said they were still coming to grips with their outstanding win, especially given it was the 100th anniversary of the club, which had made their victory sweeter for the club and the Kojonup community. “It’s been a bit of a fairytale, couldn’t write something so perfect, especially with it being Kojonup’s 100th year and it’s a great ending to a great season,” Norrish said. Marinoni said: “Winning our flag in our 100th year, and it’s making an impact on not just the players and those involved in the club, but the Kojonup community as well and having the community celebrate that is honestly so magical. “It’s huge and we’ve got old boys who still are with the club, who come to the matches and help cook dinners for the players on Thursday afternoons, and to see their faces light up is rewarding and to see them, who enjoy coming to the matches and the club, so happy made our efforts worth it.” Both Norrish and Marinoni said the match was a top game played by two strong teams, and commended both teams for their efforts and intensity throughout the match. “It was amazing to watch, the team played really well, it was great to see two top teams that played well on the weekend,” Norrish said. “One team was unlucky to lose because they both played so well, but it’s lucky we were the ones to win, and I respect the Bridgetown club and their work through the season as well.” Marinoni said: “It was a very a to-and-fro game and Bridgetown was the team to beat, so we had to play four quarters of a good game, and we went back and forth and thought at times that they were going to take it. “It was a good game and good effort from all the boys.” They both highlighted their first win against Bridgetown as not only their most memorable game, but as a turning point for the club which boosted their confidence in their chances of reaching the finals and taking home the flag win. “We beat Bridgetown in the first time about round eight at home, and that’s when we felt blessed, and the boys felt more confident, it was the first time in my five years of coaching that we beat them,” Norrish said. Marinoni said: “The turning point was when we beat Bridgetown at home in round eight, and we hadn’t performed at that level for a couple of years, so that built belief that we could go into the finals and possibly win. “Nobody had gotten 50 or 60 points until the Bridgetown game, so to beat them by five goals was incredible, so that was a highlight game of the year but nothing’s going to beat the grand final.” The two both said the team benefited from both their off-field and on-field chemistry and their willingness to improve and grow as a team. “It’s been a pleasure, good bunch of local Kojonup boys, and it’s been a really good group to coach, they’ve been enthusiastic and wanting to improve throughout the season and make it to the finals,” Norrish said. Marinoni said: “We’re a very tight group off the field as much as on the field and we hang out quite often, and because we’ve got so many local players, we’ve gelled quite well and our off-field camaraderie transferred on to the field.” They were both grateful for the great season and were optimistic for the next year. “Thank you to Kojonup for allowing to allowing to coach them and have such a great season with the team,” Norrish said. Marinoni said: “We’ll be all back, stronger than ever hopefully, and we’ve got good numbers next year.”