Playing at Bridgetown, the Pemberton-based Southerners held off the Bulldogs for a 10.3 for 2.9 final score.

Best on the ground was awarded to Trent Fox of the Southerners who played ruck and centre half back.

Leigh Scaini, another Sotherners’ players, was the association’s fairest and best.

Coach Michael Scaini (Leigh’s father) commented that he was pleased with the players’ all-round sound team effort and that they played their normal structure for the whole game.

He will coach the colts next year and 15 of his players will move to that level with him.

Bulldogs’ coach Colin Bygraves announced his retirement from his coaching position at under the 15’s level before the game.

Bygraves has shown passion not only for the game but for the lives of the boys he mentors/coaches and his efforts have been greatly appreciated, a club spokesman said.

Bygraves said Southerners were too strong all over the ground and the Bulldogs played their ‘grand final’ the previous week in a great comeback match.