Article from weekly Times.
IT has taken 41 years and eight grand final appearances, but Bob Beare finally has the premiership he deserves.
At the ripe old age of 50, Beare, combining playing and coaching duties, led the Trentham reserves to a remarkable grand final victory in the Maryborough-Castlemaine league on Sunday.
The Saints toppled Carisbrook by a point, 10.6 (66) to 9.11 (65), the third consecutive match they had won by less than a goal.
Beare said a mix of youth and experience had helped the Saints get over the line.
"The youngest is 18 and I'm the oldest at 50, but they're a terrific bunch of blokes and we really enjoyed the win," he said.
After a distinguished career with Kyneton in the Bendigo Football League, Beare crossed to the Saints a few years ago, when the club was on the brink of folding and unable to field a reserves side.
"A mate of mine got together about 20 blokes who, like me, were about to retire," he said.
"We reached the grand final in our first year and we've stayed together ever since."
Despite his age, Beare was named among the Saints' best players in Sunday's premiership triumph.
He said the only reason he continued to play was because of the great people at Trentham.
"It's a great place to be around and through a lot of hard work and perseverance the club is back on the right track."
While most would be happy to bow out on a high, Beare said he was more than likely to be running around for the Saints again next year.