MITTA United captain Alex Beggs believes stinging internal criticism has been the catalyst behind the club’s charge into the Tallangatta and District league grand final.
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Beggs said there was plenty of fallout from the Blues’ 26-point loss to Thurgoona in the qualifying final and claimed it had been a factor in impressive wins against Barnawartha and the Bulldogs over the past fortnight.
“The team got a lot of criticism from all the locals saying that we were a bit soft,” Beggs said.
“I think that was the instigator behind playing better footy.
“There are pretty high expectations on the team itself and the way we performed against Thurgoona in the qualifying final wasn’t up to the locals’ expectations.
“It was a bit of a sting in the tail for us.
“I think that spurred us on.”
The pressure to succeed comes with being a Mitta United player.
The Blues will play in their 30th grand final in 62 years when they take on Kiewa-Sandy Creek at Sandy Creek on Saturday.
They have won 22 flags and finished runner-up on seven occasions.
Mitta United has only missed the finals six times since 1952.
Beggs is a major part of that folklore.
He has played in five premierships — 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2012 — and said Saturday could be one of the club’s biggest grand final challenges.
“Kiewa is a good side,” Beggs, 28, said.
“You never go out thinking you are going to win it.
“We have played in the past three grand finals but it doesn’t feel like that.
“Mitta prides itself on being pretty successful so if we don’t make it it’s a bit of a disappointment.”
Beggs, who has no idea how many matches he has played for Mitta United because the Blues have never kept count, said they will start as underdogs despite posting 23 and 47-point wins over Barnawartha and Thurgoona in the past fortnight.
The Hawks defeated Clinton Gilson’s team by seven and four points during the home and away series.
“Grand finals are always hard,” Beggs said.
“I have probably got more nervous in the past few years.
“We know we will have to play well.”