‘We’ll give it a good shake’: Mooroopna out to claim first under-16 flag in six years

A final-round loss to Sunday’s grand final opponent Echuca left Williams’ outfit with do-or-die clashes against Kyabram and then Shepparton Notre Gold.

The absorbing 13-point win over the Bombers in the elimination final was followed by a heart-stopping one-point thriller over the Bears in the preliminary final.

A talented Murray Bombers outfit awaits them in the big dance and if Mooroopna’s recent track record is anything to go by — the teenage Cats are up for the fight.

“We lost the last game of the year, so we’ve had to do it the hard way and play each game of finals,” Williams said.

“The first final over Ky it was a real gutsy win and it could have gone either way. (Last week) was probably one of the best wins I’ve been involved in with junior footy.

“We lost a man early, the boys showed some fight and really rallied after quarter-time and slowly chipped away at the lead. It was grit that got us over the line.”

The brave Cats are yet to defeat the Murray Bombers from three attempts this season.

A round four 42-point loss was followed by a gallant four-point defeat in round nine.

The 10-point final round loss completed a trio of losses.

Grand finals are different beasts and the hungry Cats are eager to right the wrongs of 2023.

“Both very physical, we pride ourselves on our tackling and our pressure. We’ve got some boys that really hunt the footy,” Williams said.

“They’ve got some guys that we’ll need to put some time and a bit of work into for sure. Echuca has beaten us three times, the’ve been really tight and close games, but they’ve got the wood over us and hopefully we can change that.”

Williams has had a couple of curveballs thrown his way this week.

One of his side’s star talents will miss the grand final due to suspension, while key forward Rhys Osborne has been ruled out due to injury.

Despite the selection headaches Williams still has plenty of talented teenagers at his disposal.

Towering tall Mackenzie Calleja was best afield in the narrow win over Bears, while Alex Macrae, Reeve Evans, Noah Williams and captain Bailey Poole led the way with stirring performances.

A grand final appearance is something most players in Williams’ squad haven’t experienced, but the Cats mentor is backing his charges to get the job done.

“I just told the boys to go out and enjoy themselves and make the most of the week. You don’t know if you’ll ever play in another grand final,” Williams said.

“You can see how (excited everyone is) with how early they were here, they’re all really excited.

“I think our boys will be up to it, they love a challenge, they’ve been slowly building to this after being beat up by the Bears and Swans sides in recent years.

“Nobody has played in a grand final; this is all new to them, they probably don’t quite understand how lucky they are to be playing in one ... but we’ll give it a good shake on Sunday.

“Unfortunately it’s clashed (with the seniors final), but it’s one of those things. We’ll still have plenty of support there.

“The town’s got behind us and the crowds have got bigger each week since finals started which has been really good.”