The magic of Tongala’s fairy tale run to the Murray Football League grand final evaporated at Finley today as perpetual premiers Nathalia more than doubled their score – 12.8 (86) to 5.11 (41) – to win by 47 points.
In a jarring clash of colours, the Blues had their opportunities but the Purples were simply too good, picking up their fifth straight flag (and tenth in 15 years).
But despite the heartache the mood around Tongala’s fans was not one of disappointment, but of unbreakable pride in the men who had guided their football club to its first grand final since 1991.
Jordan Souter, the man who has become the face of the football club since taking over as senior coach in the lead up to the 2018 season, would have made sure his charges left the field with their heads held high.
“They’re a brilliant group of players,” he said.
“We missed a few goals, we didn’t take all of the chances that we could have taken, but I walk away from the game with the utmost pride in what they have done this season and today.
“They fought it out, they gave it their all and that is everything we ask of them. I’m also proud of our reserves who had a great showing today to bring a flag home to the club.”
With 2019 having already been a surprising result for many, hopes are high around Tonny Town that they are just getting started.
“We’re putting this down as the beginning of something special,” he said.
“Nathalia started somewhere, and they’ve gone on to dominate the competition in a way few have ever seen. They were fantastic today, and we look at them and think what our goals are and what we want to be seen as in the future.
“We will take a lot out of today, we will hope to come back bigger and stronger, learn from what we did here and what we are able to do better in the future, and hopefully we will be here again next year and come away with it.”
One of the best stories of the 2019 football season comes to an end with the loss, and while the wider Tongala Football and Netball Club came away with one out of four on grand final day, it was still an event few will forget.
It will instead go down as the year Tongala defied all odds to deliver their club to four grand finals.
And the year a group of players gave a town in a dark place a big ray of light.
A light that will not be extinguished anytime soon.
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