Cobram — which finished the season as minor premier — will be out to secure its first senior football flag since 1998, with a band of exciting young locals out to write themselves into the riverside town’s proud history books.
While Mulwala will be looking to return to the top of the mountain after an arduous 32-year absence and will back its exciting mix of youth and experience to get the job done.
Either way, the 2022 senior football decider will bring about a fairy-tale ending for a group of passionate supporters and mark a perfect return to grand finals after a two-year absence due to COVID-19.
And for Cobram and coach John Brunskill, excitement is at fever pitch as they embark on a fantastic opportunity.
“We’ll go out there, put our best foot forward and see what happens I suppose,” Brunskill said.
“A lot of the blokes that are playing senior football at the moment weren’t even born when Cobram won their last one, so it’s exciting for them.”
The vibe is similar up at Mulwala, as it looks to keep the good times rolling after a 57-point demolition of Moama in last weekend’s preliminary final.
The Lions’ first finals victory since 2013, co-coach Rohan Davies said his squad was full of belief and ready for the challenge Cobram would present on Saturday.
“Everyone is in a great place and feeling good, the playing group is excited, the town is excited and we cannot wait to get into it,” Davies said.
“With the prelim being our first finals win in nine years, the supporters were certainly up and about and that energy has really carried into this week.
“None of our boys have played in a senior premiership for Mulwala, so to have this opportunity now it is wonderful.”
Cobram has had the wood over Mulwala this season, coming away victorious in both meetings, including a 12-point win in the second semi-final a fortnight ago.
But after leading for large portions of that final, Davies said he had full confidence his team had what it takes to get over the Tigers this time around.
“The game showed that our best is competitive against them, I’ve said it all year if we bring our best for four quarters it will be a close game,” he said.
“They are just too good to have lapses against, they can really hurt you quickly, so we know we can’t give them anything for free or drop off at all.
“If we stick to our structures and are consistent for four quarters, I think our best is good enough.”
In terms of selection, Cobram will have a host of star players — including skipper Sam Beasley — set to return.
“We’ve sort of narrowed it down a little bit, but we still haven’t narrowed it down all the way, we’ve got five to come back in which will be handy, but it will also be sad for the people that miss out,” Brunskill said.
“But as we’ve said all year, it’s going to take 30-plus blokes to get where we want to get.”
Mulwala on the other hand will go in unchanged from its preliminary final victory against Moama as it continues to ride a wave of momentum into grand final day.
As for what a drought-breaking premiership would mean, Brunskill said it would be the culmination of more than a decade of hard work.
“I’ve been involved in the club now since 2010, I was involved in the last time we played in a grand final, but I’ve also been through some dark times too,” he said.
“We made a pact eight years ago to stick with the locals because the thirds and fourths were doing really well.
“I think we’ve brought one extra in this year, which is Mark Baker, so to have the majority of kids in our side which have played with us for the last seven or eight years, plus all our juniors which have played all their footy here it’s really pleasing for the club.”
While at Mulwala, victory would be equally as sweet, as the playing group hopes to reward the passionate band of supporters that have stuck with the club through thick and thin.
“I’ve captained a premiership with Mernda in Melbourne and seen what it means to break a drought,” Davies said.
“The players can win a premiership any year and it’s special, but for the people that have supported the club for so long it would mean the world to them and it is going to be a huge day.”
2022 Murray Football League senior grand final
Cobram v Mulwala, 2.30pm, Moama Recreation Reserve
