Congupna make first grand final in 25 years as the team looks to end drought

A small club in Victoria’s north will aim to end a 30-year premiership drought on Saturday after years of toiling away. Here’s how Congupna worked its way back.

There could be a special guest cheering on Congupna as the club aims to secure a first Murray league premiership.

Saturday is a big day for the small town located near Shepparton.

The Road will take on Mulwala in the grand final after a barren run recently.

It is the club’s first grand final since 1998 as it aims for a first title since 1993 when it won the Tungamah Football League premiership.

Congupna president Jack Hicks admits there had already been plenty of celebration after making the big dance.

The Congupna team celebrate after a win. Picture: Fiona Fleming.

“The fanfare and the community of Congupna has hit an all time high,” he said.

“But you get there and what’s the point of settling and resting on the opportunity and current success.

“We’re looking to go all the way.”

And one key eye on the sidelines could be Collingwood star Steele Sidebottom.

Sidebottom is from Congupna and played for his junior footy for The Road.

The midfielder has a week off with Collingwood getting a direct passage to the preliminary final after their win over Melbourne last week.

It paves the way for him to come up north but nothing has been confirmed yet.

“We’d love to see him up there,” Hicks said.

“He’s got a very close alliance with the current coach Kevin O’Donoghue in the senior football team.

“He admires what we do at Congupna so there’s every chance he might pop his head in.”

Getting to this stage has been part of a five-year plan for Congupna.

Elliot Cavallaro leads the team out earlier this year. He is the leading goalkicker at the club. Picture: Fiona Fleming.

A few years ago the team was getting smashed by 200 points or more regularly.

But over time the club has built to this position.

“They were very dark days and only five to six years ago,” Hicks said.

“Since then it has dramatically picked up.

“It’s been a really big focus of having like minded people that really cared about the community and the love of the club.

“You create a feel good environment, these players tend to stick around.

“They don’t hear of Congupna but when they come to Congupna they fall in love.

“It’s really the awareness that has helped out and the good reputation of the club that has sustained the success and build on year on year.”

Congupna faces Mulwala in the final who have been the benchmark all season.

The Road lost both clashes to the Lions earlier this season and were on their way to losing a third match in the second semi-final two weeks ago.

Down and almost out the team needed a lift and got it as their midfield started to work cohesively to shut down the Lions engine room.

“It was about a 30-40 point deficit but this midfield group came together and picked apart what happened in the game,” Hicks said.

“There was that belief, they kicked the first few goals and they believed in one another and our midfield group turned the game.

“It was fantastic to see.”

Hicks added the team has a full bill of health now compared to earlier this season.

If The Road is successful the whole town of Congupna might be celebrating for the next week.

“It’s going to unite the whole town (the grand final run),” Hicks said.

“All it’s got is a netball court, a football ground and a post office.

“It (The Road) is the lifeblood of the town.

“If we were to win the grand final the party would be sensational and everyone would be celebrating.”

Congupna takes on Mulwala at 2.30pm at Moama Recreation Reserve.