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WILLIE Heta says ruthless defence from Albury Thunder was what led to the club’s stunning 45-4 rout of Southcity in yesterday’s Group 9 grand final.
Heta, who won the John Hill Medal as the best player, starred in his role at five-eighth and was pivotal in getting Thunder over the line.
“Every coach I’ve ever played for has said that defence wins games and our defence was on point,” Heta said after the victory.
“It’s just great to get the reward.
“Southcity beat us three times this season and it’s unfortunate for them to finish this way but we worked for that.”
Heta was overcome by emotion after Albury became just the third side in the history of Group 9 to claim a hat-trick of premierships.
“I love these guys,” he said.
“They are like family to me. To play with these guys for the last three seasons has been amazing.”
Thunder captain Lou Goodwin, who won the Weissel Medal as the league’s best player on Friday night, said he was more satisfied with the medal he collected just after 5pm yesterday.
“This is the greatest achievement so far,” Goodwin said.
“I’m just so proud of the boys.”
Goodwin, who along with several other stars has all but certainly played his last game for the club, said he was desperate to go out in style.
“We spoke about it in the sheds before,” he revealed.
“I’ve got mates from year 9 playing here and we wanted to make it special. Getting this was always going to be the best way to go and we got it.
“We knew we could beat them if we turned up and we did.”
