MANGOPLAH-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes midfielder Stace Creasy is lucky to be alive, let alone playing in a Riverina League grand final.
In February this year, Creasy was glassed when trying to break up a verbal argument in the early hours of Saturday morning on Baylis Street.
He received an abrasion to the jugular and narrowly escaped life threatening injuries.
“I’m pretty lucky to be alive after what happened,” Creasy said.
“I try not to think about it too much but you do take life for granted sometimes.
“It put things into perspective I guess.”
Some seven months later and Creasy is preparing for a grand final with his beloved Goannas on the back of an outstanding year.
The 28-year-old has enjoyed a big year in the MCUE midfield and has enjoyed his role.
“Yeah I’m pretty happy with my year,” he said.
“I’ve got my personal life back on track is probably the big thing. Last year I had a fair bit of stuff happening off the field.
“Mitch (Daniher) getting injured halfway through the year allowed me to spend more time in the midfield and like Col (Sanbrook) said the other day, he and Mitch get a fair bit of attention.”
Creasy mixed between Osborne and MCUE through his junior football.
He won an under 18 premiership with the Goannas, then spent a couple of years in the seniors at Osborne where he was part of their 2012 grand final win.
Creasy said he would love nothing more than to win a senior grand final at MCUE.
“I’ve been playing at Mango for 10 or more years and to win one at Mango would mean a lot more, to be honest,” he said.
“I’ve been here at Mango when we weren’t real successful.
“We’re going through a good era at the moment and it’s probably only me, Trent and Harry in the team now that have been through the hard times.”
Creasy said he is excited about Sunday’s grand final at Narrandera Sportsground.
“I’m pretty excited about it,” he said.
“I’ve got nerves at the same time, which is to be expected.
“It was a pretty heartbreaking loss last year, having got so close.”
MCUE face Collingullie-Glenfield Park in Sunday’s decider, the same team that came from behind to roll them in last year’s grand final.
Creasy knows the Demons will prove tough.
“We’re shaping up pretty good, everyone is really fresh,” he said.
“They’re pretty much back to full-strength now, we’ve beaten them twice now but they haven’t been playing at full-strength, and definitely not at full fitness.”
