Baggetta lauds team-oriented nature of Yarran

Harvey-Brunswick-Leschenault coach John Baggetta was a proud man following his side’s emphatic grand final win over the Eaton Boomers at Hands Oval on Sunday.

The win was built on togetherness, sacrifice and courage – all qualities which were displayed by injured Lions utility Tim Yarran in the lead up to the game.

Unable to play due to a nagging ankle injury, Yarran was invited up onstage by Baggetta during the post-game presentations, where he was hugged and given Baggetta’s premiership medallion.

“He made a honest call to me about his fitness,” Baggetta said. “And as a coach, I really appreciate that.

“Because he could have come in and he might have got through the game. But at the end of the day, he told me he could not give us what we needed.

“We took 22 fit players in and I think they (Boomers) still had one or two who were maybe under a cloud.”

A man who prides himself on leading a fit team, the Lions coach was delighted with his side’s run across all four quarters.

“We believe when you go pound for pound we are always going to have the ability to run through until the end,” Baggetta said.

“And we though they were a bit suspect in doing that.

“Look they are a very good side. But I just think fitness is a big thing and we saw guys go down at the start of the game, while we kept running on top of the ground.”

Moving forward, Baggetta feels the Lions could continue to build an impressive chapter of SWFL history.

“The club is in a very good position,” he said.

“I do not know what is happening going forward but the club itself with the young guys is strong.

“Most of these guys have a lot of football in front of them. I’m pretty sure a couple of guys will be brought in as well.

“Jack Fletcher lives in town now and I’m pretty sure Sean Bradley and Josh Underwood are also keen to hang around.

“I think they are in a very strong position, so we will see what the summer brings.”