Congupna’s Tate Mifka launches a ball forward during The Road’s big win over Mulwala on Saturday.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
After making up for the heartbreak of 2023 by ending a 31-year wait for a senior premiership last year, Congupna is once more headed to the Murray Football League big dance.
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Having been at their formidable best throughout the home and away season, recording 18 straight victories without a blemish on their record and a whopping percentage above 417, The Road punched their ticket to the grand final at the first time of asking on Saturday, dispatching Mulwala in a clinical performance at Echuca South Recreation Reserve.
While finals can often throw up a big surprise, there was nothing of the sort for Congupna on Saturday, as the reigning premier romped to a 15.16 (106) to 6.9 (45) victory over the Lions in a contest that was as good as done at half-time to confirm a third successive grand final appearance.
Congupna coach Ben Bingham was obviously ecstatic to have his troops into yet another decider, but also praised the wider strength of the club, with The Road’s reserves claiming a 8.2 (50) to 5.11 (41) victory over Moama earlier in the day to also book their spot in the decider.
“I was fairly proud of our efforts yesterday, probably firstly to have both our seniors and reserves just straight in,” he said.
“It’s one thing that we're big on at the footy club, the strength of our football squad, and to have both grades in there to give ourselves a chance, it's super exciting.”
In typical fashion, The Road got off to a blistering start in the second semi-final, booting the first two goals of the game, and while Mulwala looked like it was up for the fight, responding shortly after with its first, Congupna closed out the opening term with the next three straight majors to open up a 24-point advantage at the first break.
The Lions were brave in the second term, digging in and countering Congupna’s opening two goals to keep the margin at 24 points, however, it was to no avail, as The Road, as they have done all year, eventually broke through, kicking four unanswered goals to end the term with a healthy 51-point lead by the main break, essentially putting the game to bed.
“It was a typical sort of finals-like game, I think, and I thought our contest work was really good early, I think it's the best it's been for a while,” Bingham said.
“I think just our contest and pressure stood up to what they were giving us, and yeah, that sort of gave us the ascendancy in that first half.
“We probably left a couple in the bank at half time there, but I think probably the sting went out of the game from there and we just did what we needed to do in that second half.”
Mulwala’s Kyal Tyson takes a strong mark overhead.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
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Congupna’s Charlie Mellington marks in front of Mulwala’s Lachlan Rouel.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Congupna’s Charles Boyer pressures Mulwala’s Baxter Donovan as he gets a kick away.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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The Road’s Thomas McCluskey hangs on to a mark.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Congupna’s Isaiah Jones hunts down Mulwala’s Beau Seymour.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
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Congupna’s Bryden Squire marks in front of opposing number 10 Charley McKenna.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Mulwala’s Adam Rouel takes possession as Congupna’s Billy Cooper gives chase.
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JORDAN TOWNROW
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Mulwala’s Zach Scott marks uncontested.
Photo by
JORDAN TOWNROW
With the only two goals of the third term, The Road stretched the margin out even further, leading 89-23 at the final change of ends, putting the cue in the rack for the last quarter, with Mulwala trimming the margin back to 61 at the final siren.
It was about as intimidating a performance as Congupna could have delivered, with Kyle “The Wiz” Mueller booting five goals and moving to 93 for the year, bringing him within touching distance of the ton on grand final day, as he did last year, while skipper Daniel Schaper led from the front with three goals in a best on ground performance.
It will be a different lead up to grand final day for The Road this year, too, having finally got the monkey off the back last season, leading to a much more relaxed atmosphere at the club as they charge towards back-to-back flags.
“That's probably been the big thing with our group this year that I’ve really noticed,” Bingham said.
“Just the difference between this year, and last year we had the extra added pressure, so we're playing with a lot more freedom now, and we're having a bit of fun with how we're going about things.
“I think you've just got to enjoy the ride for what it's worth and just be present with what we're doing, and I think that's the best thing with the week off, we can enjoy this week, refresh and then get ready to go with whoever we have to play.”
The Road now has one hand on the cup, and it will take some sort of team performance to deny them a second-straight flag, with Mulwala and Cobram set to duke it out for the honour next week after the Tigers beat Moama in Sunday’s first semi-final at Numurkah Showgrounds, staving off a fierce Magpies comeback to claim the 11.13 (79) to 10.8 (68) win.
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