TYSON Medlyn can lay claim to an interesting mantle in 2021 - the only coach across Group 10 and Group 11's top-level competitions to claim a premiership this year.
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And while the Western Rugby League Under 21s winning mentor missed out on the chance to make it a premiership double with his St Pat's reserve grade team he's still happy to look back on a positive year for the club's younger members.
Several of the Saints' premiership winners from the under 21s joined the ranks of Medlyn's reserve grade side, and also the premier league outfit, to shoot for a second title.
Medlyn said the reserve grade team fought hard to scrape into the last finals spot and were looking forward to the challenge ahead.
"That last round we weren't too sure if we were going to get into the finals. It was a bit of a rollercoaster. We managed to get in but then they called the season. We're disappointed but everybody will be feeling the same," he said.
"Blayney was going to be the team to beat and I think it was really sad for them because they didn't have a first grade team, or under 18s, so for them to get minor premiers and not have the chance to ice the cake would have been disappointing.
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"We were slowly starting to get some players back and our younger guys were putting together some good footy. It would have been good to see what would have happened if we did get to play."
Pat's snuck into reserve grade finals just ahead of rivals Panthers after both sides lost their last matches before the COVID-19 lockdown.
Both finished with a record of six wins and six losses.
"They always say the reserve grade job's the hardest comp to coach in because you've got players who might have a great game one week then they move up to first grade, so you've got to fill a spot," Medlyn said.
"From a coach's point of view it was a tough season, but we had a great time with the under 21s team and a lot of those boys backed up to play this year. We got to take on quite a few first grade quality players."
Medlyn said he feels for all the teams in their prime with who the chance to extend their dynasties.
"Our girls were going for four straight wins in a row. They had some girls going for their first win while others had been there for all the 50 wins in a row. I'm sure their camp is probably a little more down than the rest of us," he said.
"In saying that, Panthers premier league were going for three in a row too," he said.
"I guess it was a going thing for the Pat's under 21s that we got to play at the start of the season because that gave us a bit of silverware."
Pat's claimed the under 21s title earlier in the year with a pair of hard fought finals wins against Dubbo opposition.
They beat Dubbo Macquarie 18-14 and went on to defeat Dubbo CYMS 20-16 in the grand final.
Outside of the Mid West Cup, the Western Under 21s was the only competition to play out its finals series in full in 2021.
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