By JAKE BOURKE
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CHRIS Kennedy wasn’t sure how to feel.
The outgoing Yarrawonga co-coach was understandably shattered after tasting grand final defeat in his last game as coach.
But he was also proud.
He had every reason to be.
“I don’t think the boys could have done much more,” Kennedy said after yesterday’s seven-point loss to Albury in the decider.
“They did everything we wanted and stuck to everything we wanted but we just came up short.
“I think it could have gone either way.
“It was that even.
“They were just in front when the siren sounded.”
Kennedy, who finished Yarrawonga’s most successful coaching tenure yesterday, said he would look back on the past four years with immense pride.
The Pigeons bounced back from three consecutive final defeats to grab back-to-back flags against the Tigers in 2012 and 2013.
They couldn’t quite make it a hat-trick yesterday, but Kennedy said that didn’t take any gloss off their legacy.
“I’m pretty proud of the guys and their efforts over the past few years,” Kennedy said.
“They are so willing to work for each other.
“I’m a bit flat that it’s over.”
Kennedy is leaving the club and there are rumblings a host of players might walk, as well.
But their mentor is expecting most things to stay the same at J.C. Lowe Oval next season.
“Time will tell,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy, who won a record five best and fairests at Shepparton United as a player, went on to be just as good in the coaching box.
Alongside Drew Barnes, he retires as the most successful coach in Yarrawonga’s history.
YARRAWONGA star Xavier Leslie has brushed off talk that yesterday’s shattering seven-point grand final loss to Albury is the end of an era for the Pigeons.
Leslie, who battled hard all day, is confident Yarrawonga will remain a big factor next sea-son.
“I’m confident the club will be strong again,” Leslie said.
“I’ve got no idea what all the boys’ plans are and hopefully as many stick around as possible.
“We’ll get together over the next few days and have a few beers and whatever happens, happens.”
Leslie said he couldn’t fault the efforts of his team, despite going down in heartbreaking fashion.
The Pigeons bounced back from a 63-point loss to the Tigers in the second semi-final to almost pinch an unlikely third straight premiership.
“Obviously we are shattered and you’re never happy losing a grand final but we battled it out,” Leslie said.
“I couldn’t fault anyone.
“We gave our all.
“That’s all you can ask.
“If you don’t get the result, you don’t get the result.”
Leslie said Albury simply made the most of its chances.
“It could have gone either way,” he said.