SHAUN Bradley is no stranger to success.
Coolamon will be out to win their first third grade flag since 1994 and the man in charge knows all about what it takes to win on the big stage.
Bradley is coach of the Coolamon under 17 team and was a member of the Hoppers team when they won back in 94.
On Sunday, he will prepare the current crop of Hoppers that will try to break the 21-year drought when they take on Mangoplah-Cookardinia United-Eastlakes.
If the weight of history was not enough, the Goannas have gone through the season undefeated and will start red-hot favourites.
Bradley understands how hard the task is in front of the Hoppers.
“They’ll be hard to beat,” Bradley said.
“They haven’t been beaten all year, they’ve been the best side by a fair way.
“We’re going to turn up, have a red hot crack and we’ll see what happens.”
Coolamon last won the third grade title in 1994, when Coolamon upstaged Leeton under the care of Michael Buchanan.
We're going to turn up, have a red hot crack and we'll see what happens.
- Coolamon under 17s coach Shaun Bradley
Among the Coolamon team that day was the likes of Bradley, Tony Morris, Daniel Crocker, Ray Chow and Dom Norman.
Bradley said he won’t draw on inspiration from the 1994 Coolamon team on Sunday.
“I can’t remember back that far,” Bradley said with a laugh.
There is a heavy family connection in the current Coolamon 17s team.
A lot of the young footballers have followed in the footsteps of their fathers to play at Coolamon.
Bradley, a long-time player at Coolamon, coached many of the boys to an under 15 premiership at Wagga Swans last year.
About 10 boys from that team have followed Bradley to Coolamon, continuing a close relationship between the Wagga junior club and the Hoppers.
Coolamon will be boosted by the presence of Luke Redfern, Matt McGowan and Harry Fitzsimmons on Sunday.
The trio have played a lot of senior football this year, and will slot in nicely alongside the likes of Will Graetz, Ben Gillett and Will O’Dwyer,
MCUE will be led by talented midfielders Ethan Schiller and Will Keogh as they search for the perfect ending to a fine season.
The 17s grand final will start at 9.30am.
