By RUSSELL BENNETT
ORDINARILY, the word ‘redemption’ isn’t one many would associate with a side that’s just claimed back-to-back premierships – the second of those in a remarkable unbeaten season.
But Mitch Wallace’s story is anything but ordinary.
Dropped during last year’s finals campaign, the young key position player couldn’t work his way back in to the eventual premiership side. And it’s something that consumed him.
“I was bitterly disappointed to miss out last year,” the 21-year-old told the Gazette in a candid interview after the Cobras capped off an incredible 2015 season with a 75-point win over Bunyip on Saturday, 21.11 (137) to 8.14 (62).
“I didn’t want to talk to anyone from down here – I was shattered with the decision.”
Having played at ROC in recent years, and having a friendship with coach Brad Jones, he initially headed back to the Kangaroos for this year’s pre-season.
“Look, I was pulling over on the freeway driving to work just to compose myself,” he said.
“I was shattered, just gutted. I just want to play footy with my best mates and it was a tough call to come back, but I’m glad I made it and now here we are.”
Wallace said the Marchetti family, in particular two of his closest mates Luke and Sean, helped convince him to come back to Cora Lynn.
“We had a really good chat and they just laid it out to me and said these opportunities don’t come around all that often,” he said.
And Wallace had to make some adjustments straight away – like being moved to a key defensive post, something he was hardly familiar with. But throughout this season he has established himself as one of the most consistent key defenders in the league, and was ultimately on the shortlist to make the Gazette’s EDFL Team of the Year.
“I’d never really played in defence but Trav (coach Travis Marsham) just told me to look at some of the leaders down there – (skipper) Timmy Payne and those sorts of blokes, who’ve played back all their lives – and he told me I’d be the perfect fit.
“I was eager to learn and just do anything for the team – I just wanted to be a part of it and I’ve loved every minute of this season.”
And there wouldn’t have been too many minutes he loved more in 2015 than the closing stages of Saturday’s grand final. With the Cobras holding an insurmountable lead, and with Wallace having played a starring role at centre-half back, he had time to collect his thoughts out on the ground and one word came to mind – redemption.
“I’d worked pretty hard to be a part of it,” he said.
“I was in a pretty bad way (at the end of last season), and I worked really hard to get here. I just want to soak up every minute of it now.
“It was nothing personal with the club, but I was shattered. You work all year for the chance to play in a premiership.
“The club means everything to me. We all drive to the club together, and it’s just a great atmosphere. It’s like being surrounded by family and you wouldn’t change it for the world.”
And Wallace was emphatic when asked to pinpoint just why this year’s group gelled so well – the departing Marsham and coaching director Aussie Jones.
“The ones and twos are all a tightknit group together. It’s just been unreal,” Wallace said.
“Trav has made it a family club, really. He’s done a lot for us.”
For so many more storylines from across the weekend of Ellinbank footy and netball, keep an eye on the Gazette Sport website and Facebook page over the coming days and pick up a copy of the paper – out first thing Wednesday morning.
Click the videos below for footage of the pre-game address delivered by Cora Lynn coach Travis Marsham, and the 2015 Cobras belting out the first rendition of their team song as premiers. NOTE: Footage contains coarse language.
