Can history repeat for Tongala Football Club?
The Blues will need to emulate its 2019 finals campaign if it is to break a 39-year premiership drought, qualifying third this season to book another elimination final.
Tongala took the long way to the ’19 decider against Nathalia, qualifying from fifth spot in a finals series that will go down in club folklore.
All that was missing was a premiership trophy to cap off the fairytale.
The Purples put paid to that happy ending, and now the Blues will be forced to take the same road this year if they are to qualify for another Murray Football League grand final after narrowly missing out to top two sides Cobram and Mulwala.
Tongala will battle sixth-placed Deniliquin Rams for the privilege of keeping its season alive, with the winner advancing to another do-or-die clash against Moama or Congupna next week.
With the final taking place at Tongala Reserve, Blues’ coach Jordan Souter admitted there were some nerves there for the home side but said it was heartening to be back playing finals at all.
“We’re all pretty excited down here at Tonny and we’re keen for a big challenge coming up,” Souter said.
“Hopefully we can get a good home crowd down. Even when we’re not doing so well they always get down and support you.
“Obviously with elimination finals everyone gets a bit nervous, it’s just the way it is. We’re looking forward to it, and I’m pretty sure the entire town is excited as well.
“The whole league will be up and about. It’s been three years since our last finals series, everyone’s looking forward to it.”
At the selection table, the Blues have had a mixed bag on the eve of their biggest match of the season so far.
Blues’ livewire Mackenzie Cowley’s season is over after sustaining a season-ending ankle injury against Cobram.
Meanwhile, key forward Makenzie Ryan will take no part in this final and potentially the next after suffering a concussion in the final round against Finley.
After much speculation about Bendigo Pioneers star Harley Reid’s inclusion, it seems he will miss as well as the Pioneers seek a wildcard entry into NAB League finals this weekend.
Ruckman Jack Monigatti will not make the journey down from the Northern Territory, but the reintroduction of leading goal-kicker Darren Ewing and former AFL talent Ryan Nyhuis will offset those changes.
“It’s a little disappointing with some injuries at the wrong time of the year, but we’re not making any excuses,” Souter said.
“We’ll be picking our best side available anyway, so we’ll still be pretty strong.”
The Rams, Murray Football League premiers in 2011, are into their first finals series since 2014.
Tongala was forced to shake off a fierce first-half challenge from Deniliquin in round 13, eventually pulling away to a 35-point win.
John Anstee, Angus McKay and Jayden Pitts were key for the Rams in that clash, but key figures Ricky Gittens and spearhead Todd Gallagher will provide a point of difference after missing that game.
Deniliquin was impressive at stages against Cobram last weekend, and Blues’ coach Jordan Souter expects the game will be won at the coal-face against a “physical” opponent.
“We know Deni are pretty physical and we’re prepared for that,” Souter said.
“They’re pretty good around the stoppages. If we play our best football we should be right, but Deni are tracking pretty well. They pushed Cobram for three quarters last week.”
Tipped as heavy premiership fancies pre-season, Tongala won all but three games in 2022 after winning every clash in the shortened 2021 season.
Winning seven straight to start the year, the Blues experienced a mid-season slump that saw them concede to Cobram (48 points), Congupna (26 points), and Nathalia (24 points).
Since then, the Blues have been faultless winning eight games on the spin, including a thrilling one-point win over Moama and a two-goal victory over minor premier Cobram.
The action at Tongala Reserve gets under way in the under-14s with Cobram and Nathalia before Rumbalara and the Tigers renew acquaintances in the under-17s.
The Rams Reserves join their senior counterparts in finals with an elimination showdown against Congupna.
Tongala and Deniliquin will face off at Tongala Reserve this Saturday, August 27 with the game starting at 2pm.