Toby McGrath’s four years at the helm of Centrals’ league side has been a rollercoaster to say the least.
Signing on as coach in 2015 the former South Fremantle star took over a side coming off a one-goal loss in a grand final against Pinjarra, who they will meet again in the big game this Saturday.
I don’t want to leave that field saying ‘what if’
- Toby McGrath
The 2005 Sandover medalist had a vision for the Blues, one that would see them back to the Peel Football and Netball League’s final game of the season.
But it was also a vision he knew would take time to implement.
Across his first two years McGrath’s side languished, including a seventh-placed finish in 2016.
They entered the 2017 season with renewed hopes of a flag after reuniting former Brisbane Lions duo Ash McGrath and Mitch Clark in their forward line, but injuries curtailed their campaign and saw them punted from the finals in straight sets.
The folks at Mundijong were forecasting another bleak season when their squad sat in sixth place with three wins and five losses after eight rounds this season, but the playing group’s resolve never wavered.
Driven by the desire for success, the Blues went on to record nine wins across their next 10 games to finish the regular season in third before toppling Baldivis and Pinjarra in the finals to earn a week off and book their grand final spot.
“It’s massive for our club,” McGrath said of the grand final appearance.
“We’ve really struggled the last couple of years with injuries and form, but this year those factors have been on our side and it’s amazing to see how far you can go when things fall your way a bit.
“Our playing group is a good bunch of guys who are all driven by the same thing, they all want that success.
“For us to be playing in a grand final, it’s really exciting for the people at our club that have gone through the tough times.”
But, as the coach put it, getting there is the easy part.
“Grand finals are a whole different ball game – I don’t think we can rely on our form in the back half of this year to get us over the line,” he said.
“Obviously, the way we’ve been playing, that gives us a lot of confidence and we’ll go into the game against Pinjarra with that confidence we can beat anyone, but they are a good side and we can’t rely on past results.”
Still, those past results are worth taking note of.
The only two defeats the Tigers have suffered since round four have both come at the hands of Centrals, and the Mundijong supporter base will have complete confidence their boys can make it a third.
For McGrath and his group, it’s a simple matter of leaving no stone unturned.
“I don’t want to leave that field saying ‘what if’,” he said.
“We’ve got a huge opportunity in front of us, and it’s up to us to make the most of it.”