Upper Murray: Corryong prepares for finals despite winless home and away season

Corryong hasn’t won a match in the four-team Upper Murray league this season, but still has the chance to win a finals game.

Despite a 0-12 win-loss record, Corryong will this Saturday experience finals action in the Upper Murray league when it plays Bullioh in the first semi-final.

The anomaly of Corryong not winning a match, but still qualifying for finals is the result of the league precariously dropping from five to four teams with the decision by Federal to fold at the end of last season.

There have been precedents of four-team leagues in country Victoria, where every club is guaranteed to play finals, and even one instance of a team losing every match in the home and away rounds before winning a finals game.

In 1985 in the former East Gippsland league second division Swan Reach was 0-15 before beating Paynesville in the first semi-final.

Corryong utility Tom Saunders, left, spoils Cudgewa's Josh Bartel. Picture: Corryong Courier

Corryong coach Daniel Gilcrist is drawing confidence from pushing its first semi-final opponent to 24 points in round 1 and 18 points in round 4.

But in the two other times the teams have met, Bullioh won convincingly by 87 points and 122 points.

“We’ve had our chances in games this year,” Gilcrist said.

“But we have fallen off late in some games and that has really hurt us on the scoreboard.”

Corryong also finished bottom last year with its only win being against Federal.

Gilcrist, who played for Corryong in 2011 and 2012, hopes the 130-year-old league can find more clubs to ensure its survival.

Evan Nicholas handpasses to Mitch Lauritzen with Adam Prior in pursuit. Picture: Corryong Courier

All four teams rely heavily on players travelling from the larger population centres of Albury-Wodonga and Wagga with Gilcrist based in Albury

“Personally I would like to see more teams,” he said.

“But having only the four teams has had its benefits.

“You end up becoming good friends with everyone because you see them so often.”

Gilcrist, 35, is coaching for the first time and is also a player.

He said midfielder Ryan Murray and key position players Brandon Taylor and Mitch Lauritzen had been among the team’s most consistent players.

Former coach and multiple premiership player and league best and fairest winner Evan Nicholas played his 300th match for the club this season.

Cudgewa finished on top of the ladder undefeated.