Truth be told, there’s been a lot more downs in a 10-year period which saw the Saints set an unwanted record with a 62-match losing streak from 2007-2011.

But the Saints have emerged from the darkness and will contest their first final series since 2006 when they take on Wodonga Raiders in the elimination final at W.J. Findlay Oval on Sunday.

Front and centre to their success has been home-grown talent.

The sons of four former senior Saints coaches – Andrew Dale, Mathew Crisp, Ian Wales and Michael Quirk – will take to the field on Sunday.

Lachie and Frazer Dale, Callum and Ryan Crisp, Luke and Will Quirk, along with Hugh, Elijah and Wayland Wales have all played senior football for the Saints, who finished the home and away season in fourth place just 12 months after claiming the wooden spoon.

Michael Quirk, who is now the Saints’ president, said there was a buzz around the town and Myrtleford’s return to finals was reward for hard work.

“Those couple of years where we had those 62 losses or whatever it was, these boys would have been running around in the under-14s but they would’ve been at the football,” he said.

“We just pulled our heads in and we bloody got through it, it’s a credit to a lot of people around the club to stick at it and keep working and putting time and energy into these kids who love their footy.

“It’s great to come out the other side of that because it was a pretty tough time for the club.

“The good thing about having locals playing is it gets the community involved and coming to the footy. It’s good that these kids can play at the standard and compete against the better sides.”

Former Carlton player Frazer Dale might have attracted all the headlines when he returned to Myrtleford but younger brother Lachie has quickly emerged as a key to the Saints’ fortunes off a half-back flank.

Callum Crisp, the brother of Collingwood midfielder Jack, floats between the ruck and forward line and kicked two crucial goals in the third quarter of the Saints’ stirring one-point victory over the Raiders in round 17.

Hugh Wales will miss the Saints’ drought-breaking finals appearance after under-going a shoulder reconstruction but Elijah will play an important role on the ball and Wayland remains in the squad after making his debut against Corowa-Rutherglen last round.

Luke Quirk has held down a position in the back pocket all season with brother Will playing 10 senior matches despite still being eligible for thirds.

Meanwhile, Saints ruckman Tom McDonagh will have a fitness test on Saturday to determine whether he takes his place in Sunday’s elimination final.

Saints co-coach Brad Murray said Sam Confait (hamstring) and Jarrod Hayse (hip) were set to play but McDonagh, who was in a moon boot earlier in the week, was battling a bad knock to his shin.