FOUR grand finals in five seasons might seem like a blessed run.
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But when you play for Mitta United, it’s little more than par for the course.
Jarrod Gorupic will play in his fourth grand final in just his 83rd match for the Blues on Saturday when they take on Thurgoona in the decider at Sandy Creek.
With 22 flags to their name since 1952 – roughly one every three seasons – the law of averages says Mitta United is just about due for its next premiership. It will be the Blues’ 30th grand final appearance in the 64 years since they were founded, making them far and away the most successful club in the Tallangatta and District league.
It didn’t take Gorupic long to settle into life as a Mitta United player, winning a flag in his first season in 2012, but grand final defeats in 2013 and 2014 have left the former Wodonga Raider eager to make amends at a club that demands success.
“It would be nice to get one back in the win column,” he said.
Saturday will be extra special for the 30-year-old when he takes the field with his younger brothers Tyson, 28, and Sam, 19.
It’s the first season the trio has played together with Jarrod and Sam forming an effective partnership across half-back for the Blues.
Sporting a beard and hair-do once common in the Mitta Valley, Tyson will play a leading role in the middle against a star-studded Thurgoona on-ball division.
“He’s fully adopted the look from up there,” Jarrod said of Tyson.
“It’s been really good, though, the three of us playing together.
“I probably didn’t think I’d ever get the chance to play with Sam because there’s a fair age gap between the two of us.”
Gorupic is confident the Blues can rebound from their second semi-final disaster at the hands of Thurgoona.
“It’s by far the worst we have played for the year,” he said.
“We were pretty disappointed with that performance after we played some pretty solid footy this year.
“It was definitely something we weren’t expecting to happen.
“We just have to be on our game.”
Brenton Olsen comes into the side that defeated Barnawartha in the preliminary final but September specialist David Paton will miss with a finger injury.
While Tyson will have his hands full against Jayden Kotzur and Ben Lloyd in the midfield, Jarrod and Sam will be busy containing the Bulldogs’ forward line of Matt Fowler, Sam Cross, Jake Bruce and Todd Miller.
“Their forward line is as good as it gets in the league, they’re all top-liners,” he said.
“It will be a pretty good battle in the midfield too, though, that’s where it will be won and lost.”
Xavier Mardling
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
Xavier started at The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga in 2001, covering sport and general news before moving to the subs' desk. He was editor of his hometown masthead from 2016 to 2020 before swapping the Murray for Merewether. He returned to The Border Mail as editor in 2023.
