BRIDGEWATER has the opportunity on Saturday to achieve what has only been done once before in the 112-year history of the Loddon Valley Football League – win six premierships in a row.
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Standing in the way of the Mean Machine and its sixth flag on the trot is Mitiamo, with the two sides to lock horns in the season decider at Newbridge’s Terry O’Shea Riverside Park from 2.15pm on Saturday.
Calivil United holds the record for the most LVFL premierships in a row with the six it won between 2003 and 2008, before its streak was ended in 2009 by Mitiamo.
“We know the six in a row is there and it’s one of many motivating factors for us… you want to do it for your supporters and all the people who do the work at the club, but probably the biggest motivating factor is the chance to have those great times with each other afterwards,” Bridgewater coach Andrew Collins said on Friday.
While Bridgewater has been the clear standout side this year – it goes into the grand final having won 16 of 17 games – Mitiamo has been a late-season bolter.
The Superoos – who won just nine games the previous three years - weren’t guaranteed a finals berth heading into the last round of the season, but having beaten YCW by 70 points to lock up a top-five finish have since ended the seasons of Calivil United, Pyramid Hill and Bears Lagoon-Serpentine.
Having finished the home and away season fourth with an 8-8 record, the Superoos have become the first LVFL team since YCW in 2002 to make a grand final from the elimination final.
“It’s exciting for the club to be back in a grand final. We know it’s going to be a tough ask and that Bridgewater has been a remarkable side, but once that ball is bounced on Saturday, it’s anyone’s game,” Mitiamo coach Denis Grinton said.
If Mitiamo is to win the flag, it will have to beat Bridgewater for the first time since its last premiership year in 2009.
