‘No hatred’: Murchison-Toolamba sets record straight, but expect intense final flag defence

However, both clubs have downplayed the “outside noise” of viewers who expect similar scenes this time around, with both clubs dedicated to nothing more than raising the cup in the twilight sky at full time on Saturday.

Murichson-Toolamba and Lancaster are preparing to do battle at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, with either side chasing an additional flag to the ones already earned this decade.

The fire starter to the pair’s tense rivalry is well-known, as the Wombats recorded a 10-point premiership win over the Grasshoppers in the 2022 grand final.

However after the final siren, ugly scenes between players and spectators marred the triumphant Wombats result - and it sure hasn’t been forgotten each time these clubs face off.

The rivalry between the two clubs has been burgeoning ever since as they’ve held their positions up the top-end of the table, and in 2023, it was the Wombats who claimed the ultimate prize again, before the Grasshoppers got the job done last year.

That proven ability to win on the biggest day is an alleviating feeling for Murchison-Toolamba coach Brett Foley.

“It does get rid of some butterflies in the belly,” Foley said.

“Knowing we won one last year and we’re going in with only one loss this year provides us with some confidence.

“We’re real keen to get there on Saturday.”

A look at recent history suggests the result is poised to go either way in this year’s decider.

In the home and away season, both sides lost just one game - Murchison-Toolamba’s defeat aforementioned by Foley came against the Wombats in round 13 while Lancaster’s sole loss was by a single point against Shepparton East in round five.

However, the Grasshoppers responded to their earlier 17-point defeat in the qualifying final to beat Lancaster by three, winning in unbelievable fashion with an Aaron Miller kick after the siren sending the joint-venture through to the big dance.

Securing a winning result in that final is a confidence-booster for Foley’s men, who are excited to embrace the Mooroopna turf in predicted favourable conditions.

“It’s a good place for our brand of footy,” Foley said.

“It’s a big ground and that helps with our running game and opens up the forward line for our talls a little bit more.”

The likeable conditions have the Grasshoppers ready to continue their bounce towards a second consecutive flag - a feat that has never been achieved in Murchison-Toolamba history.

It’s a significant motivating factor for the group, and with the club’s strong record this season, the green and gold will back its system in to get the job done.

“Murch has never won back-to-back so we’ve been talking about that a lot,” Foley said.

“There won’t be too much tinkering going on, I don’t think it’s the right thing to do.

“Everyone always says it’s just another game, but this time there’s something waiting at the end if you’re successful.”

However, this year’s KDL grand final is hardly just another game - the recent rivalry between the two clubs is well established.

Yet, Foley stated he doesn’t expect a rough and tumble atmosphere throughout the contest, with both sides set to have their focus firmly on post-game medallions.

“The outside noise (of the rivalry) isn’t really fair on the players to be honest,” Foley said.

“Between the Lancaster and Murchison playing group, there’s never been any angst on-field or fights or anything.

“It’s more outside noise of what happened in that final.

“There’s no hatred between each other on field ... it’s normally a pretty clean game of footy and I think both teams have nothing but respect for each other.

“Our boys will just be worried about getting as much of the footy as we can.”

Lancaster coach Nick Ryan sounded the same attitude to the contest, knowing a moment’s waver in focus could be the difference between glory or failure.

“The boys are still full of confidence, we know that we got the result against Murch during the home-and-away season,” he said.

“On any day we can go out and beat them, but if we come in anything below a hundred per cent, then it’s going to be a tough day, so it’s just going to be who wants to show up more on the day.”

While Ryan lauded his midfield’s quality as the potential difference-maker, both coaches made a point to acknowledge Murchison-Toolamba’s forward group, specifically key forward James Lloyd, and how those performances on Saturday could tell the tale for the result.

“If our full forward can kick a few goals it’d go a long way to us winning the game,” Foley said on Lloyd.

“He did it last year and I’d bloody love it if he did it again.”

Ryan echoed that sentiment, noting his defensive group will need to challenge Lloyd’s dominance inside the forward arc.

“If our back six holds up all day, we know they have a guy who’s kicked 100 goals, so it’s critical to be able to quell his influence and work inside the stoppage,” Ryan said.

So, the stakes are set - a third flag in four years, or a club-first back-to-back feat.

And if the clash a fortnight ago is anything to go by, the KDL may have saved the best game until last.

The senior football grand final begins at 2:40pm at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 13.