Golden memories
Rumbalara’s 2014 premiership triumph is one of the standout Murray Football League grand finals since the turn of the century. In honour of what would have been grand final day, we take a look back at three of the league’s best deciders. For more,
In a regular non-COVID-19 world we would be gearing up for football and netball grand finals across the region, with the Murray and Picola District leagues scheduled to take place this weekend, while the Kyabram District and Goulburn Valley League would take centre stage the following weekend.
While we unfortunately do not have the extensive preview coverage many have grown accustomed to over the years, we hope to fill that sport-shaped hole in our lives by reminiscing about some of the best deciders we have seen since 2000.
Beginning today with the Murray league, we have gone back through the archives and highlighted three matches that captivated supporters with the skill, drama and emotion they produced.
Incredibly these three games occurred within three years, marking what was a truly magical time in Murray league football in the mid2010s.
So although there can be no replacing the anticipation of grand final day, we hope this series will provide a welcome substitute for those readers itching to see premierships awarded again next year.
1. Rumbalara claims maiden MFL flag with memorable comeback win
The 2014 season was nothing short of a fairytale for Rumbalara.
After finishing 11th and 12th in the preceding two years, the acquisition of former Brisbane and Essendon player Damian Cupido as captain-coach and former AFL talents Nathan Lovett-Murray and Bradley Dick would have Rumba primed for a push at their first Murray league f lag.
Putting together an excellent home and away season, Rumbalara would claim the minor premiership and began its finals campaign with a top-of-the-table showdown with Finley in the second semi-final.
After a tight start, Rumba would dominate from quarter-time onwards to seal their place in the decider — which would end up being a rematch with the Cats after they easily disposed of reigning premier Echuca United in the preliminary final.
Playing in the grand final for the first time since back-to-back losses in 2004 and 2005 in the now defunct Central Goulburn League, this would be a monumental occasion for Rumbalara as it looked to establish itself as a powerful Murray league club.
Finley on the other hand would be returning to the decider after falling to powerhouse Nathalia by 13 points in what was a highscoring classic two years earlier.
The stage was set for a thrilling contest as the ball was bounced at Moama Recreation Reserve, and it would be the underdog Cats who got away to the best start imaginable as Jess Koopman put through the game’s first major within 12 seconds.
From there it would be a blue and white procession as they piled on seven goals to Rumba’s two to hold a significant 33-point advantage at the first change.
Having dominated the season to that point Rumbalara was rightly shell-shocked at quarter-time and even more so at the eight-minute mark of the second term when the Cats’ lead pushed out to 40 points.
With their backs against the wall, Rumba would begin to rally in the closing stages of the second term — cutting the margin to an even five goals at the main change.
A team renowned for its f lashy style of play and willingness to take the game on, the third quarter would have Rumba truly come to life as they began to run the Cats off their feet and play with the f lair that had garnered them much success during the year.
Despite kicking into the wind, they piled on 3.2 to Finley’s 0.4 to trim the margin to 14 points and set up a grandstand finish.
With 30 minutes of football separating the two teams from premiership glory it would be the class of Cupido that rose to the occasion in the early stages of the final term.
Winning the league goal-kicking award with 82 majors, he would save his best two for last as he willed home an incredible snap from the forward pocket to bring his side within a kick before popping up with a strong mark and converting to level the scores.
Having worked so hard to build a significant lead, the Cats were now tasked with defending the smallest of advantages following a rushed behind at the 21-minute mark.
Rumba on the other hand were playing inspired football, and with four minutes remaining took their first lead of the day.
After being kept quiet for the majority of proceedings by Steve Patten, the class of former Collingwood and West Coast forward Dick would come to the fore when it mattered most as he swooped on a loose ball and proceeded to convert from 35m, completing what was a stellar comeback.
Needing one last big effort to steal the lead back, the out-ontheir-feet Cats could not conjure up an attack — with the siren sounding with the ball at centre wing as hundreds of Rumba supporters engulfed their jubilant players.
Defender Levi Power, who had returned to Rumba from Canberra halfway through the season, was awarded the VCFL Medal as best afield for his role in shutting down dangerous Finley forward Thomas Seccull.
He said deciding to come back and finish the season at his home club was one of the best decisions he had ever made.
“I had a big decision to make before the clearances cut-off,” Power said.
“I was struggling a bit with my body at the time, mainly hamstring tendinitis — I am still not quite 100 per cent, but I decided to come back because Rumba is my home.
“I love the footy club to death and it has worked out brilliantly for us.”
The architect of this incredible premiership winning team, Cupido made this bold statement following the game.
“That is the best win I’ve ever been involved in, better than anything in the AFL,” he said.
“I am just so proud of the boys, the character they showed was outstanding.”
As for match-winner Dick, he only needed one word to describe his heroics.
“Amazing.”
Final score Rumbalara: 2.0 4.6 7.8 11.11 (77) Finley: 7.3 9.6 9.10 10.12 (72)
VCFL Medal: Levi Power
Goals — Rumbalara: D Cupido 4, P Hood 2, B Armstrong, N Terlich, G Weston, D Kerr, B Dick. Finley: J Koopman 4, J Daniel 2, R Crowe 2, T Seccull, L Small
Best — Rumbalara: L Power, D Kerr, T Higgins, D Cupido, A Miller, D Morgan.
Finley: T Robertson, S Patten, N Robertson, J Koopman, M Jackson, M Jackson
2. Nathalia holds off Moama in 2015 thriller
Having won 10 premierships since the year 2000, it is safe to say Nathalia has dominated Murray league football in the 21st century.
Sporting a streak of four straight f lags from 2005 to 2008 and more recently five in a row from 2015 to 2019, the Purples have been a longtime measuring stick for rival clubs and have often broken their hearts on the big stage in finals.