Two Congupna mainstays are heading to their third consecutive grand final.
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For skipper Dan Schaper, he leads the charge again, having experienced just about all the swings and roundabouts of the grand final experience.
A heartbreaking defeat to Mulwala, a victorious one-point heart-stopper over Finley, and now the chance to become the club’s first back-to-back captain in 60 years.
Schaper has booted 51 goals in a lethal forward combination with Kyle Mueller, and after a “mental refresh”, said a full-strength Congupna was as ready as it will ever be.
“It’s been a really good feeling this year, we’re feeling fresh, and the boys are feeling good,” Schaper said.
“We’re pretty much full-strength going into the weekend, and we’re excited for what’s to come.”
Schaper also lifted the lid on some of the factors behind the club propelling itself even further up the Murray Football League hierarchy.
“We’re a pretty driven group,” he said.
“I think (it’s) the retaining of players, I think a lot of other clubs try to bring five or six (players) in every year, whereas we’ve just had this slow build up coming from a long way back, just bringing in one or two every year.
“We keep our core nucleus, we know what’s coming every week, we know the coaching staff, and they know us.
“We’ve signed nearly all of our players for next year; that’s what it’s all about, and that goes off the field as well with our volunteers and people that help out, everything around the club gels.”
Congupna skipper Daniel Schaper will lead the club into its third grand final in as many seasons.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
Jordy Gee is one of those who have formed the aforementioned nucleus, bringing up his 200th club game earlier in the season.
While he’s also playing in his third decider, he admits to still having a smattering of nerves.
But as long as it’s with The Road, Gee’s a happy man.
“I used to live across the road and I played my juniors here,” Gee said.
“I don’t know anything else; I love this club, and it means everything to me.
“It’s been our motto pretty much all year, just to play with more freedom and not get sucked into the pressure that can be put on from the outside.”
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