The Collie Eagles reserves team took their final flight last weekend, falling short in a nail-biting round of elimination finals.
South Bunbury Tigers knocked the Eagles out of the competition with a 10.8 (68) to 5.8 (38) at Gloucester Park.
The Tigers booted five goals to two in the first half, before posting five goals to three in the second.
Spurred on by the sizeable crowd at Augusta-Margaret River's home ground, the Eagles found their wings in the second quarter.
Despite missing key players to injury and work schedules, Collie was able to match it with the Tigers through the efforts of Blake Shanahan, Jak Mounsey, Riley Brown, Luke Abbott, Jakob Pilatti and Teale De Angelis.
Brown led the scoring charge, booting two goals for the team, while Pilatti, Kent and Abbott kicked one goal each.
But it was all to no avail, as South Bunbury took control in the final quarter.
Tigers Ray Chatt, Tristian Ugle and Glen Harries were strong performers, with Ugle accounting for 5 of the team's 10 goals.
Reserves coach Barry Gresham said it was disappointing to be out of the finals, but the young team had performed well and would provide a solid foundation for the club in the years to come.
"The boys played really well, considering the draw backs on the day, and being up against players who have years of experience on them they really stepped up to the plate," he said.
"It's unfortunate that a few factors which came into play led to being eliminated in the first round because I know the skills these boys have would have been a formidable match in the upcoming rounds of finals.
"The skills these guys have shown are exceptional. They're 19, 20, 21 up against 25 and 30 years old and are a strong future for this club."
It was a big improvement for the reserves on 2018, when the club finished in ninth position.
In the other game in the reserves competition, Busselton Magpies came back to clinch a six-point win over Eaton Boomers.
Behind by 12 at half time, the Magpies went on to earn a 7.6 (48) to 6.6 (42) victory.
Week Two of the reserves finals series will kick off on Sunday morning with Eaton Boomers taking on South Bunbury Tigers at Bunbury's Payne Park, while HBL Lions will take on Busselton Magpies at Brunswick Oval.
This weekend will also see the league competition gather for the 2019 Hayward Medal and Nola Marino Medal Count.
In the league competition, HBL will take on Eaton in the second semi final at Brunswick Oval, while Bunbury faces a tough first semi final matchup against reigning SWFL premiers Donnybrook at Payne Park.
