The Murray Bombers’ women's team will vie for its first-ever premiership flag this weekend, 672 days after its heartbreaking grand final loss to Mooroopna in 2019.
Beating Tatura by 84 points in the preliminary final on Sunday, Echuca will get a second chance to snare the silverware when it faces off against Nathalia in the season decider.
Echuca captain Jodie Lake said the playing group was ecstatic to make it through to the final game of the season.
“To get back into the big dance, it's something we've worked hard on all year, so it's exciting we're back there again,” Lake said.
“It's been a challenge to say the least. We haven't had the momentum the other teams might have had. The most games we strung together this season was two, which isn't ideal to run on.
“But the girls have adapted well and we're used to going with the flow.
“We go back to training each week and train hard and hope it pays off on the weekend, which it has (against Tatura).”
Coming into the penultimate game on Sunday, it took the opening five minutes for both Echuca and Tatura to settle after finals were postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
But the Murray Bombers quickly found their footing, keeping the undermanned Bulldogs to their only goal of the day in the first term while consistently building up a healthy score of their own.
Kicking exactly 7.3 in each of the two halves, it was one of the Murray Bombers’ most efficient efforts this season.
Coach Damien Dalziel said he was "over the moon" with how his team performed on the day.
“Once we got into it, we worked hard for it,” he said.
“Everything clicked into gear and we played some good football.
“Tat kept going, which we expected, but it was good to get the win and advance to what we've been working towards for the last year-and-a-half.”
With grand final week in full swing, Dalziel said it would be business as usual for the team in the lead-up to the game.
“I want to make sure all the girls are fit and ready, and we'll get some touch in,” he said.
“But this week, we'll enjoy it. It's the last week as a group we'll be together as a football side.”
As for any lingering emotions after falling at the last hurdle in 2019, Lake said it would be touched on as a group this week, but not dwelled upon.
“It's still a little bit of a burner in the back of the minds, but in saying that, it's a completely new year and new circumstances,” she said.
“We've all had the shutdown with COVID, so I think it's ancient history now.
“We still want the flag, and we're all very hungry for it, but I think it's a new mentality.
“We want it for us, no other reason, not revenge, not anything.
“We want it because we deserve it.”
The MCBM Northern Country Women's League grand final between Echuca and Nathalia will be played at Tatura Park on Sunday, June 27, from 2.30pm.
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