In the final instalment of Sunraysia Daily’s SFNL grand final series, we look back to the most recent premiership play-off in 2019 when Irymple claimed their seventh premiership. As PATHI RAJ discovered, the Swallows’ victory came on the back of finding their identity and adding an extra layer of ferocity to their game.

THE last time Dennis Mitchell had played a grand final, his Cardross side had lost comfortably. Bambill had outrun the Lions in 2007 and for the second season in a row Mitchell had joined his teammates to reflect on losing in the final game of the year. 

His Lions teammates had spoken about next year, but on that family day in 2007, Mitchell had hung up his boots. It would be years before he’d return to another grand final.