Such was the quality on show between Lancaster, Murchison-Toolamba and Shepparton East, the inevitable heartbreak awaiting at least one of those sides in Kyabram District League football finals felt almost unfair.
With that said, it was the two-time defending premier, the Wombats, who failed to fit the squeeze into Saturday’s two grand final spots on the hallowed turf of Mooroopna Recreation Reserve.
The top three almost felt inseparable for most of the year, but there was a clear and unmissable gap between the leading trio and all other comers.
In that vein, while the Eagles missed out on the double chance and had to take the longer route, they never encountered serious adversity on their way to the preliminary final with earlier knockout wins over Tallygaroopna and Nagambie sorted out well before the final siren.
Knocking over Lancaster was going to be anything but a cakewalk with the three-peat at stake, but despite trailing by multiple goals at every change — and conceding six to Morrie Serra — Dwain Vidler’s side pulled off the heist to keep its season alive in a thrilling comeback one-point win.
That euphoria had its time, but Vidler, who vows an unchanged lineup with no concerns out of the Wombats game, asserts that the only way is forward heading into Saturday.
“Everyone was up and about last Saturday night and Sunday, but at training this week, everyone knows what their job is.
“It’s about knowing what to do to put our best foot forward.
“In every grand final, the two teams are there for a reason.
“We’ve had to go about it the hard way with an extra couple of games and we have to do everything right to give ourselves a chance come Saturday.
“We’ll go in knowing that our good footy is good enough, and we’ll make sure we go about it in the same manner we have up until now.”
Offence is likely to be the primary focus on both sides as the competition’s two leading goalkickers, country champion James Lloyd and Eagles spearhead Jake Sutherland, prepare to man opposing arcs.
Vidler is under no allusions when it comes to the task his backline faces, but wants a diverse and collaborative effort with ball in hand.
“We’ve spoken about the boys who will most likely line-up against (Lloyd), and they know what job they’ll be up for,” Vidler said.
“The supply they get is just as daunting; we just have to make sure it’s a hard job going for them.
“That and making sure when they are kicking forward, they’re under pressure to help our defenders get the best chance.
“If one person plays well, it’s probably not going to help anything. It needs to be a team effort and if everyone does their job going forward, that’ll give ourselves a crack.
“If we do that, we’ll be in with a shot.”
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