A TICK over 18 months since being beaten in arguably the greatest GFL grand final of all-time, Colac’s Jarryn McCormack hasn’t completely shaken the disappointment.
The Tigers held a four-point lead over St Mary’s in the dying moments before Nick Connors stepped up to kick the winning goal for the Saints.
“It definitely hurts still,” he said. “That was my first ever grand final experience, including juniors as well.
“That fire still burns a bit. As a collective, (coach) ‘Ro’ (Rowan McSparron) hasn’t touched on it at all, just what is going to happen in the future.
“We have new personnel now so we are just looking forward to this year.”
McCormack, who had returned to Central Reserve from a stint at GFL rival Lara, says he was “shattered” by the loss.
“I thought it was the fairytale year for me coming back to Colac where it all began and making the grand final,” he said.
“But it obviously wasn’t meant to be. They were the better side on the day.
“For me there is a little bit of motivation and that fire definitely burns and I want another taste for sure.”
The Floyd brothers, Campbell and Ethan, are among the departures since 2019.
However, their loss has been offset by the return of a couple of local products Brody Mahoney and Frazer O’Gorman from the SANFL.
A number of under-19 graduates will also push for senior berths, motivating the likes of veteran forward Jake McGuane, who McCormack says has lost 20kgs.
“It’s going to be a fight for positions which is a good position for the club; it’s where you want to be to have that depth,” he said.
“(McGuane) is just watching his meal sizes he says and makes sure he does 7000 steps a day and drinks two litres of water.
“It’s obviously worked; he looks in great nick and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Colac opens its season on April 10 against St Albans at The Gordon TAFE Oval in the first GFL Match of the Day broadcast on K rock 95.5.
Twitter: @tom_king79
