COROWA-Rutherglen star Kade Kuschert says the Roos are desperate to snap the league’s longest finals hoodoo in Sunday’s elimination final against Wangaratta Rovers.
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The Roos haven’t won a final since winning the 2003 premiership.
Every other club in the Ovens and Murray has won at least one final in that time.
Corowa-Rutherglen, which returns to the business end of the season for the first time since 2009 this weekend, has played in six finals since winning its last flag.
The club has lost them all.
The Roos exited the finals in straight sets in both 2004 and 2008, with elimination final losses in 2005 and 2009 adding to the pain.
“It’s definitely not something we’re overly proud of,” Kuschert said ahead of Sunday’s do-or-die final at Myrtleford.
“We’re well and truly due, that’s for sure.
“Five years is a long time.
“It’s really exciting for the club to be back there again.”
Kuschert, who has been at the club the whole time, said he didn’t expect the finals drought to have an impact on the Roos this week.
Jamie Seymour, Mick Collins, Cade Mills, James O’Connell and Kuschert are the only players left at John Foord Oval from the 2009 elimination final loss to Wangaratta.
“I don’t think so,” Kuschert said.
“The group is pretty switched on.
“Obviously a few people have mentioned the drought but at the end of the day, it’s just another game.
“We’ve kept a lid on things as best we can.”
Kuschert said Corowa-Rutherglen was confident of keeping its unbeaten run against Rovers this season intact when it mattered.
The Roos beat the Hawks by 19 points in round 7 and again by 20 points in round 16.
“We’ve beaten them twice this year and the kids are playing some pretty exciting footy,” Kuschert said.
“It’s good to have so many local kids that have been around the club for a while come through.
“We’ve still got a few older heads around like Mills and ‘Wiz’ (Matt Witherden) to steer them in the right direction.
“We’re looking forward to it.”
The winner of Sunday’s knockout final will take on the loser of tomorrow’s qualifying final between Lavington and Yarrawonga.