Ready: Tongala’s reserves are ready for a crack at back-to-back flags. Photo: Steve Huntley
Photo by
Steve Huntley
Tongala’s reserves were the toast of the town after their 2019 flag triumph over Rumbalara snapped a 55-year drought in the grade.
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Now, another slice of history is on offer for Steve Hammond’s side.
The Blues will be aiming to become Tongala’s first reserves grade side in 64 years to salute back-to-back premierships, and the first Blues football outfit to achieve the feat since the club’s famous back-to-back senior flags of 1982-83.
Tongala will face Moama in the 2022 reserves grand final, and will come in red-hot favourites as the undefeated team.
The two sides last met in the qualifying final, with the minor premier taking a 21-point win over Moama, but Hammond is under no illusions this will be an entirely different ball game.
“It would be nice (to win) but they never just give a flag to you,” Hammond said.
“We’ll have to play our best game on Saturday to beat Moama. They were there with us at half-time (in the qualifying final) and we kicked five or six goals in the third quarter.
“It was a good contest barring one quarter. They might have three or four to come back so I believe they’re going to be stronger.
“It’s going to be tough to win.”
Spearhead: Mark Watson is the reserves competition’s leading goal-kicker, and looks poised to be a strong presence on grand final day. Photo: Cath Grey
Photo by
Cath Grey
The Blues boast an experienced lineup coming into the big dance.
Tongala, led by Sam Tyler on-field, will look to league best-and-fairest runner-up Todd Van Roy, Nick Woods and forward aces Mark Watson and Zane Johnstone to inspire the Blues to success.
“Todd Van Roy came runner-up in the competition, no doubt he had a great season,” Hammond said.
“He had a big pre-season, did a bit of boxing. Nick Woods played six senior games and missed two through injury.
“The boys have been great to coach, it’s a talented group of players.”
Like all good football sides, Tongala’s depth will prove to be both a blessing and a curse as tough calls at the selection table loom.
“The toughest thing is there’s going to be a few missing out, blokes missing out that don’t deserve to miss out,” Hammond said.
Tongala and Moama will battle for the reserves flag from 12.10pm at Moama Recreation Reserve on Saturday, September 17.
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