Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
MITIAMO has prevailed in three cut-throat finals to earn its shot at winning the Loddon Valley league premiership on Saturday.
The Superoos will take on Newbridge for the flag at Bridgewater in a battle of two teams who have had contrasting lead-ins.
While the Maroons have had the benefit of two weeks off during the finals, the Superoos – just like they did in 2015 – have taken the long route via the elimination final, first semi-final and preliminary final to advance to the grand final.
It has been a mighty finals run by the Superoos considering they ended the home and away season fifth and still hadn’t guaranteed their finals berth heading into the last round.
With new coach Andy Grant at the helm, the Superoos were slow out of the blocks early when they were 2-4 after six rounds, but are 10-3 since, including winning their past six games.
Co-captain Terry Reeves has been influential through the midfield and polled 21 votes to finish second in the Harding Medal behind winner Chris Down of Calivil United.
James Rozynski, who has won five flags throughout his career, and veterans Lucas Matthews and Aaron McKean – who was part of the club’s last flag in 2009 – have also provided the Superoos with a hard-edge in the engine room, while the mid-season signing of key forward Ryan Wellington has been crucial.
Wellington crossed from Charlton to Mitiamo in the lead-up to June 30 and in 11 games for the club has booted 37 goals, which has included seven-goal hauls in both the elimination final win over Bears Lagoon-Serpentine and last week’s preliminary final victory over Maiden Gully YCW.
The Superoos have increased their average score from 75 per game before Wellington’s arrival to 93 since he joined.
Saturday will be Mitiamo’s third grand final in four years, with the Superoos having previously been beaten by Bridgewater consecutively in 2015 and 2016.
Mitiamo
B: A. Benbow, N. Farley, T. Cocks
HB: L. Lougoon, M. Simpson, J. Wiegard
C: R. Reeves, A. McKean, D. Clohesy
HF: K. Patten, R. Wellington, L. Scott
F: T. Grant, M. Trewhella, J. Rozynski
R: M. I'Anson, T. Reeves, L. Matthews
Int: M. Grant, J. Falls, I. Mathewson, L. Drummond
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria