Mypolonga ready for upset River Murray grand final win over Jervois

A local footy club is on the cusp of one of its greatest achievements as it prepares to take on a league favourite in Saturday’s grand final after shocking to make the big dance from fifth.

An SA country footy club is on the cusp of one of its greatest achievements after making this weekend’s grand final from fifth position.

River Murray Football League club Mypolonga has come from the clouds to make this year’s big dance, defeating Coorong, Imperial and Southern Mallee after finishing 8-8 on the season.

The Tigers, led by veteran coach Stevie Sumner, star midfielders Pat Davies, Riley Robinson and utility Jack Kluske, had only defeated Coorong during the season but managed to top both Imps and the Suns with a tough finals footy approach.

“I think we structure up really well and we also have a really fierce tackling pressure we bring with us each week,” Sumner said.

“We’re able to secure the footy inside our forward 50 through that pressure and we’ve worked hard on taking our chances when we get them so we always give ourselves a chance.”

Riley Robinson has been a standout for the Tigers this year. Picture: Mypolonga Football Club

The side was level at halftime with a talented Southern Mallee side led by former West Adelaide captain Tom Keough on Saturday but produced some of its best footy this year to take an ultimately winning 18-point lead into the final break.

With Robinson, Kluske and Davies all performing in the contest and up front through the final term, the Tigers were able to grab a win for the ages.

“Having those guys with us has been great, they’re Rolls Royces out there on the park,” Sumner said.

“Just to see the faces of everyone at the footy club after we got that result and how happy they all are, we understand what it means.

“It’s quite surreal to look back on this run but we know we’ve got another big challenge ahead.”

Pat Davies in action for Mypolonga. Picture: Mypolonga Football Club

The club will again go in to Saturday as the underdog, clashing with undefeated league power Jervois.

While the Tigers will need to be almost perfect to win, they have drawn inspiration from their 2017 run during which they won the premiership over top spot Meningie from third as a major underdog.

“We’ve still got a few guys from that team in our current one and they’ve been letting the rest of the boys know that we’ve been here before and we know how to get it done,” Sumner said.

“We know Jervois is a very strong side but we think we match up well and can throw a few different things at them.

“We’ve done it the right way, we’ve got to this stage with a lot of players who have come through the ranks at the club and winning the flag would be a massive reward from everyone involved from the committee to the volunteers.”

Stevie Sumner Sr with son Stevie Jr. Picture: Facebook

Sumner has also found his own inspiration in finals, sharing the coaching box with son Stevie Jr.

“He’s been through a lot of personal battles in recent years and as a parent you’re always there for your kids – he’s my only son so I’ve stuck with him from day dot,” Sumner said.

“He’s just recently been more heavily involved in the club with his nine-year-old boy now playing here and to have him alongside me as a coach has been very special.

“It’s something I’ll really hold close.”