MERRIWA Magpies president Ben Robins is hoping history repeats itself when the Bengalla Hunter Valley Group 21 Rugby League club tackles the Aberdeen Tigers in this weekend's grand final.
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It was two decades ago that the organisation's reserve grade outfit kicked off a golden era for the Magpies, winning the 1999 decider and then completing the "three-peat" in successive seasons.
And, to acknowledge the milestone, Merriwa hosted a 20-year reunion over the Queen's Birthday long weekend in June.
So, the occasion - and the efforts of the 2019 team - isn't lost on the Magpies.
"It's a great thing for the club," Robins said.
"It has been a long time between drinks.
"We last contested a grand final 10 years ago.
"However, we won a title in 1999 - as well as the next two.
"It would be terrific to do that again.
"As an added incentive, the boys will wear the same jumper to mark the anniversary.
"It's certainly created a bit of a buzz around town."
Amazingly, one member of the 1999 line-up, Bruce Blackadder, will run onto Scone Park on Saturday, September 7, against the Tigers.
"He wanted to be a part of it," Robins said.
"And, it's wonderful for all the guys around him - it shows how much the club means to Bruce.
"I think we'll go alright, too.
"We beat Aberdeen 20-8 in round three at home, however they got us by two, 14-12, just recently.
"Captain Nathan Barry has everyone focused on the job at hand.
"We're definitely not getting too far ahead of ourselves.
"Those [previous] results mean nothing at the moment."
Robins said the Magpies, who progressed to the big show at the expense of defending premiers Scone Thoroughbreds a fortnight ago, would be ready from the opening whistle.
"We boast a pretty solid squad," he explained.
"Our forward pack doesn't back down either.
"We've probably lacked mongrel in the past but that's not the case this season.
"Then there's Seth Morgan at fullback.
"He's been in exceptional form.
"I'm quietly confident we can prevail."
The only bleak spot for Merriwa in 2019 was the league tag side's narrow 10-4 loss to the Murrurundi Mavettes in the preliminary final at the weekend.
"It's disappointing - the girls were just off their game a bit," Robins said.
"And, that's all it takes these days.
"If they'd played like they did against Muswellbrook [the week before], I think they would have been okay.
"But, full credit to Murrurundi.
"It would've been amazing to have both teams in the grand final - I think the last time that happened was in the 1960s.
"However, they're still the Group 21 tackle premiers.
"So, we'll go all out to defend that crown later in the year."
MERRIWA MAGPIES (squad): Andrew Swales, Benjamin Morgan, Benjamin Nebauer, Ben Robins, Benjamin Warr, Blake Ellis, Bradley Ellis, Brady Hilton, Bruce Blackadder, Carlin Rima, Darryl Mulholland, Gavin Piper, Hunter Nutt, Ian Medd, Jack Bevan, Jack Bowditch, Jack Inder, Jacob Medd, Jake Barry, John Whitby, Jonathon Hood, Lincoln Durietz, Marc Previati, Matthew Milton, Nathan Barry, Nicholas McLoughlin, Seth Morgan, Shane Pittman, Steven Muffett, Tim Stanley
Group 21 preliminary final results
(Saturday, August 31 - McKinnon Oval, Aberdeen)
First grade: Aberdeen Tigers defeated Singleton Greyhounds 18-6
Reserve grade: Aberdeen Tigers defeated Scone Thoroughbreds 22-14
Under-18s: Aberdeen Tigers defeated Muswellbrook Rams 16-12
League tag: Murrurundi Mavettes defeated Merriwa Magpies 10-4
2019 grand final draw
(Saturday, September 7 - Scone Park, Scone)
(Times to be confirmed)
League tag: Scone Thoroughbreds v Murrurundi Mavettes
Under-18s: Singleton Greyhounds v Aberdeen Tigers
Reserve grade: Merriwa Magpies v Aberdeen Tigers
First grade: Scone Thoroughbreds v Aberdeen Tigers