AS AN aspiring and talented junior coming through the ranks at Minyip-Murtoa, Clint Midgley could have been forgiven for thinking premierships just grew on trees.
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After Minyip and Murtoa came together as one club in 1995 the side won seniors premierships in 1996, 1997 and 1998.
Midgley had made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in 1998 and played a handful of games throughout the season but missed out on being part of the club’s most recent premiership.
Up until 2016 that was the most recent time the Burras featured in a senior Wimmera League grand final
“We had some fairly lean years,” Midgley said.
“You’ve got to cherish these moments because there is lots of times when we haven’t been very competitive.
“We get the opportunity again on Saturday and one thing about this team is that we won’t chuck it in.”
That has never been more evident than in the last two weeks of finals.
In the second semi-final against Horsham at Warracknabel the Burras gave up a six-goal lead early in the contest before they almost snatched the win.
The side also found itself behind for a large part of the preliminary final against the Warrack Eagle before a goal in the final two minutes sealed a second straight grand final berth.
Midgley said it would be massive to get over the line for the club’s supporters.
“I get to enjoy the best part of by just running around on Saturdays, there are a lot of people that do a lot more than I do,” he said.
“The success hasn’t come about overnight, it’s been a bit of a slog.
“We’ve got some really good people in very suited roles at the club and on the board; everything has just evolved in the last few years on the back of a lot of hard work from a lot of people.”
He thinks the depth within the club’s senior playing group will give it the best chance in the grand final.
“Our depth is one of our strengths and that is what will hold us in good stead,” he said.
“No one has really bobbed up for us to do something special like kick three or four goals in a quarter so I don’t think it will be about anyone doing something special.
“If we all play our role with the depth that we’ve got then we’re fairly hopeful that we can get the job done.”
Beyond Saturday’s grand final the 36-year-old thinks the club is in very safe hands with Damian Cameron at the helm.
“He’s a better player as a leader” he said.
“It’s hard to not be inspired playing underneath him because he does what he says. All that he asks is that you don’t have any regrets.”
He also looks at the player group around him and sees plenty to be excited about.
“There are a lot of sons of mates that I’m playing with now,” he said.
“It’s a breath of fresh air to have that youth and enthusiasm.
“Jordie Delahunty will likely play in his first senior Wimmera league grand final at the age of 15.
“That is a massive effort.”
