Gallery | ‘We’ve created a bit of history’: Mulwala clinches back-to-back silverware

The Lions, who had only lost two matches all season, got back to their best footy following a shattering semi-final defeat a fortnight ago to create history as the first Mulwala side to claim successive flags.

Mulwala forward Harley Middleton spearheaded Saturday’s 33-point triumph over Congupna with a seven-goal best-on-ground performance under blue skies and hot conditions at Moama Recreation Reserve.

The Road, out to create their own slice of history and end a 30-year premiership drought, could not replicate the highs of their last match as the minor premier showcased why it’s become a powerhouse in the competition with a dazzling second-half showing.

“Relief is the main one right now,” Davies said of securing the historic premiership.

“To maintain (a high standard) all year is really hard, I knew that our best was good enough, but you have got to produce it on the day, so it’s just relief.

“It’s never been done for Mulwala (back-to-back), so we’ve created a bit of history there.

“They are so hard to win, so much has to go right, to win two just shows the position the club is in right now.”

Mulwala didn’t have the contest all on its terms.

The Lions kicked the opening two majors before the Roaders replied with the next three through Elliot Cavallaro and Jak Trewin, with the latter booting two in a minute.

Like most grand finals it was an arm-wrestle and highlighted by key moments ― most noticeably Wil Norman’s impressive run down tackle.

Congupna held a slim four-point buffer at the first break ― one that extended out to 12 points when Pat Jacobson booted a goal.

A quick reply from Mulwala was followed by tempers flaring and a brief scuffle until the Lions found another.

Trewin dribbled home his third to extend the lead, but that was scrubbed off as Mulwala responded with two goals through Middleton to take a six-point lead at half-time.

A couple of points to Congupna to start the third term had the margin chipped to four points which would be the last time The Road came within sniffing a victory as Mulwala booted the next three goals of the contest.

That period of play was Mulwala at its eye-catching best.

Lions favourite and star on-baller Matthew Gorman was prolific in Mulwala’s rampant four-quarter third term and backed up his best-on-ground efforts from 12 months ago to clinch the best player of the finals series.

Zechariah Cuppins was lively around the contests and Lewis Taylor continued to play a strong run-with role on Road star BJ Squire.

Down back it was co-captain Dylan McNamara who led a defensive unit that restricted Congupna’s electric forward line.

It was such a turn around in form from when Mulwala last faced The Road and Davies gave a glimpse into how his side looked to move on from that disastrous semi-final.

“The next night we all went out for dinner and we had a good night together with a few laughs,” he said.

“I don’t think anything went drastically wrong in terms of game style, we were just beaten to the ball after half-time. Whether that was psychological, we just stopped pushing at the level we needed to be and got smashed.

“That was overwhelmingly the focus today, I thought if we’re accountable at the stoppage and win the contested ball we’ll win the game. Our mids had so much better pressure on theirs so they didn’t get that delivery like last time.

“Lewis went straight to BJ and he did a phenomenal job. BJ is a great player and he didn’t really influence the game, (Lewis) did a phenomenal job.

“For a big forward to kick seven goals, with all the pressure, it was a huge effort from Harley. Matty in that third quarter produced a quarter of the ages. Dyl McNamara was rock solid all day and Zech Cuppins, I really put it on him to use his speed and he did. I could go through the whole list.”

Congupna’s Jimmy Boyer was never far away from using his leg speed to cut up Jack Eddy Oval and he found support from fellow on-baller Sam Poole.