YARRAVILLE-SEDDON captain Beau Guest was proud of the way his undefeated side responded to a real challenge thrown down by Parkside in Sunday’s absorbing Western Region Football League division 2 grand final.
The Eagles had been untouchable all season on their way to the minor premiership and seldom did they encounter pressure this season like they did in a pulsating season-decider.
This was a character test of the highest order and the Eagles showed their mental toughness by coming back from a worrying 24-point deficit, 12 minutes into the second quarter, to win by 28 points.
“We haven’t really been challenged too much over the year,” Guest said. “The closest anyone has got to us is 35 points.
“We were up against it, but the boys dug deep and it shows how good this group is and how much belief we have.”
Guest was a shade unlucky not to win the Rex Swann Medal for best-on-ground.
The gutsy onballer was the Weekly’s player of the game for his ability to find the ball in-and-under the packs and run himself to near exhaustion.
Guest has made a real impression on the wider competition.
Last season, he was limited to just 10 games in his first year with the Eagles, due to an overseas holiday.
Eagles coach David Connell came in fresh and liked what he saw from Guest in the summer months and appointed him onfield leader.
It was an inspired decision. Not only is Guest now a premiership captain, but he was named captain of a division 2 team of the year during the week.
