After entering the Ovens and Murray league in 1950, the Saints had to wait two decades before claiming their one and only premiership to date.

Three grand final appearances in the 2000s ended in tears before another prolonged period out of September action kicked-in.

Season 2018 was no different.

But at a time when hard questions are being asked of clubs and those in charge of the game in the face of a worsening player shortage crisis across the region, Myrtleford is a good news story.

The blowtorch zeroed firmly in on the club when it had to make the call not field an under-18s team in the O and M this season.

The outside noise about the Saints’ long-term future intensified, but internally the response was far different.

Today, Myrtleford has three teams playing off in Wangaratta and District Junior Football League grand finals with the under-16, under-14 and under-12 teams all advancing to the premiership deciding match from the second semi-final with the two older age groups protecting undefeated records this season.

The under-12s have dropped one match.

No team in the WDJFL has performed a clean-sweep of grand finals since the introduction of under-12s in 2015, proving the Saints are not only flush with onfield troops, but have some talented ones also.

In a player points environment where local talent is king, the Saints could be on the cusp of exciting times.

“We definitely had a lack of numbers for what should have been this year’s thirds,” MJFC president Craig McKerral said.

“We knew it was coming and were really going to struggle to pull together a team.

“But we’ve always had good numbers from this age group (under-16s) down.”

McKerral said the junior club’s success this season had spread through the footy-mad town.

“Myrtleford people really support their teams,” he said..

“Be it the senior footy team or soccer the town really gets behind them.

“I won’t be surprised to see a big turnout at Wangaratta on Saturday.

“There is a lot of pressure on, but I think they can deal with that on the day.

“Win, lose or draw it has been a great year for us.”

The under-16s play Mansfield and under-14s take on Kangaroos, which are both replays of the second semi-final.

The under-12s meet Junior Magpies, who are the only team to beat the Saints this year.

Myrtleford has also produced two league best and fairest winners this season with Ashton McPherson winning the under-12s by one vote from Jez Rigoni from College.

In the under-14s, Damon Harrington was joint winner with Brodie Paul from Centrals.

Harrington’s older brother Liam is a current Saints’ senior player.

Mansfield’s Harry Mahoney won the under-16s count from Dan Tindall from Kangaroos by a vote.

Myrtleford’s Josh Muraca finished third.

His dad Paul is in his second season as coach of the under-16s and has seen first hand the talent flushing through with the same group making back-to-back grand finals at under-14 level.

“They are pretty special group,” he said.

“They’ve achieved a lot in their four years.

“People say you’re lucky to be coaching Myrtleford, but there is no luck.

“It was all about hard work and commitment to a cause.

“The depth here at the moment is fantastic, but it wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of a lot of people, parents, coaches and the kids most importantly.”

The under-12s team is coached by Rob Miotto and the under-14s by Simon Crisp.

The under-16s have been a dominant force all season with regular 100-point plus victories.

But, Mansfield only lost to the Saints in the second semi-final by 13 points.

Ryley Bouker booted five goals for the Saints to take his season tally to 75.

His season has also included a senior appearance in which he booted three goals on debut against Wodonga.

Team-mates Declan Bren and Dominic Bedendo have booted 69 and 54 respectively.

Bren returns after missing the second-semi.

The Saints line-up also includes Charlie Crisp, a cousin of Jack, who will line-up in his first AFL final for Collingwood tonight.

“The future looks bright,” Muraca said.

“We’ve just got to stick together and have a safe environment for the kids to play in.

“The seniors are doing everything they possibly can to make sure there is a home for them.”

AFL-North East Border regional manager John O’Donohue said the Saints had ridden the peaks and troughs with player numbers and results for a decade.

“They had no under-16s in 2015 and 2016, but have bounced back and are particularly strong at the moment,” he said.

“In the case of the under-16s they have mostly top-age players who have talent, size and athleticism which should assist them as they progress into under-18s in 2019.

“Their overall numbers at under-12s (27), under-14s (26) and under-16s (20) are consistent with other WDJFL teams.

“But by being so competitive keeps people engaged and provides hope for the future of football in the valley.”