Country Championships: Storm relegated after winless colts campaign but Panizza takes plenty of positives

Great Southern Storm went agonisingly close to a win at the Nutrien Ag Solutions Country Football Championships in Perth, losing two of their four games but under five points last week. The Storm, representing the Great Southern Football League in the CBH Group Colts Championship, went winless in division one, losing their third and fourth play-off to Great Northern. The heartbreaking three-point defeat in Friday’s play-off at The Good Grocer Park in East Fremantle, means the Storm will be relegated to division two for next year’s championships. Despite a winless campaign, it didn’t come without its chances for the Storm. At Scotch College on Thursday, the Storm were outgunned in the opening game by Great Northern as they managed just four points in a 33-point loss despite the best efforts of Flynn Jackman, Beau Veldman and Jesse Owens. Their second game against eventual champions Peel was much better, with Regan Christensen and Cleve Humphries converting. Peel were too good in the end to win by 21 points as skipper Max Grimes, Veldman and Jackman were strong contributors for the Storm. The Storm were hunting a scalp against South West in their final qualifying game and it almost occurred. South West clung on desperately however, to win by four points and reach the grand final. Jared Ballard, Hugh Beaton and Ben Michael were superb while Christensen, Clay Harrington and Ned Shepherd all kicked goals. In their play-off the Storm finished powerfully in the final term, booting the only three goals but fell short 5.4 (34) to 4.13 (37) against Great Northern. The Storm kicked one goal in each of the first two quarters but won the second half. Christensen booted two majors wile Evan Delbene and Shepherd were the other goal kickers. Storm head coach Darrell Panizza said it was another strong carnival from his young squad. “We were close on the first day to getting a win and we are very happy at the end of the day about the way we played,” he said. “We lacked a bit of maturity and leadership in those close games, knowing how to win a close one. “We are a development program, we had only three 19-year-olds so we were the youngest side and we’ve done very well at this carnival.” The Storm lost half-back Lucas Smart (knee) and ruckman Brock Zambonetti (shin) during the championships. Speedster Ballard and key forward Christensen were both recognised for their performances with selection in the CBH Group Colts All Stars. Panizza also made mention of Grimes who finished really strongly on day two, Jackman as their main ruckman and was excited by the glimpses shown from 16-year-old Veldman.