27/08/2026
Congratulations to the Cootamundra Blues Football Club, 2026 Premiers!
Coota Blues V Murrumbateman Grand Final
The Coota Blues finished off their 2026 campaign in the very best way possible, achieving Grand Final glory with an extremely hard-fought 7-point win over the Murrumbateman Eagles at ECP Solar Park Canberra on Saturday.
The Blues went into the game with a number of players carrying injury concerns, with hamstring issues affecting Joel Pearson, Ben Rose and Angus Cu***ng. All were affected to varying degrees, but all contributed and justified their selections.
The day started disastrously for the Blues with key on-baller Andy Merritt suffering his own hamstring misfortune in the third minute of the first quarter and being unable to take any further part in the game.
The first quarter was ferocious, with both teams desperate for an advantage. There were plenty of turnovers from both sides, numerous ball-ups and just one goal, courtesy of big Ben Rose, giving the Blues a 3-point lead at quarter time.
The second term was again tough and tense, with the Eagles managing two majors to a lone goal from Tristan Beaumont, giving Murrumbateman a 3-point advantage at the main break.
With the Blues unable to play their usual running game, it was only a massive effort from their back six that was keeping them in the game, with the Eagles looking slightly the better team.
Shaun Regan was a standout in the first half, as was Flynn Sierant at centre half-back. Doug Arthur was his usual busy self, while Jacob Tiernan and Jay Pennay battled hard against what could only be described as questionable tactics from the Eagles.
The Blues started the third quarter with a Matt Knagge goal early in the term following some Doug Arthur brilliance, giving the Blues the lead. The Eagles kicked the next two and the Blues again looked to be in trouble.
Once again, it was Matt Knagge who swung the balance back in the Blues' favour, with two goals from set shots to give the Blues a 10-point buffer at the final change.
An undisciplined act from a Murrumbateman player, resulting in a 50-metre penalty, gifted James Warwick a goal from the square, giving Coota a 16-point lead.
From then on, it was goal for goal, with the Eagles kicking a goal in the 7th minute, only for a courageous goal from Ben Rose to restore the ascendancy in the Blues' favour.
A goal to the Eagles with five minutes remaining piled more pressure on the Blues camp, who were forced to play desperate defensive football for the remainder of the match to claim a remarkable victory.
Overall, the match could not have been a more highly contested affair, with the Eagles throwing everything they had at the Blues all day, including plenty of late and high hits, really testing the resolve and discipline of the Coota side.
To their absolute credit, the Blues wore the lot and kept their focus on the objective at hand for the full four quarters to record a win the equal of any in the Club's history.
In what was a fine four-quarter effort, the Blues did not have a single passenger, with every player contributing and playing their role in the win.
On-baller Shaun Regan was awarded the medal for Player of the Match for an outstanding four-quarter effort and was closely followed by Doug Arthur, Flynn Sierant, Jay Pennay and Jacob Tierney.
Ben Rose, despite lacking mobility, was a great target up forward, finishing with three invaluable goals, while Matt Knagge was also pivotal in the win with three goals of his own and some strong work around the ground.
The Blues also received great service from Darion O’Toole, who was very clean and gave great service to his forwards. Angus Malmo, as always, worked tirelessly, as did Tristan Beaumont and James Warwick.
Down back, Kye Baumhammer was a rock at fullback, while Ethan Birks did a fine job keeping his very dangerous opponent totally out of the game.
Blues ruckmen Jake Rodwell and Luke Baumhammer gave away plenty of inches but battled hard all day in what was a crucial contest.
Amazing individual efforts from Captain Jacob Tiernan and Angus Cu***ngs who both put their bodies on the line risking personal injury typified the attitude of the Blues players on the day.
The Blues were unbelievably well supported on the day, with a host of Cootamundra and Canberra supporters at the game, giving plenty of vocal support all day.
The Blues will formally celebrate their success at the Club's annual Presentation Night, to be held at the Clarke Oval Clubrooms on Saturday the 5th of September, with details to be posted on the Club's Facebook site.
Goals: Ben Rose 3, Matt Knagge 3, James Warwick 1, Tristan Beaumont 1.
