ONE of the men that helped Gordon to its last senior flag almost three decades ago will be at the coalface as the team tries to break the drought this Saturday.
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Rob Fuller played a vital on-field role in the Eagles' 1988 Central Highlands Football League triumph and will have an important one off it when the club meets traditional rivals Springbank in the 2015 decider at Eureka Stadium.
Fuller is an unofficial assistant to coach Corey Grills, where he forms part of the team working the magnets and organising things from the interchange bench.
And while it has been a mammoth wait for a grand final since his side beat Bungaree all those years ago, Fuller doesn’t believe the Gordon faithful will have to wait that long again to see their team play in another decider.
“I think with what’s in place at the moment, I’d like to think it’s not going to be another 27 years,” Fuller said.
Fuller’s talking about the work that has gone on by those before him to keep the club ticking along and help set up the structures it has in place today.
He says the club is in a great position to remain strong in the future.
Fuller returned to the Eagles’ nest in 2010 alongside Mick Torpy – who became president – and Matt Cornish – who took on the role of trainer, which he still holds now.
He then accepted the coaching role in 2011 and quickly returned the Eagles to finals, where they have been a regular ever since.
Fuller said hearing the senior side referred to as a “powerhouse” was satisfying and believed it was credit to those who put in the hard work.
“Being still involved, it’s really pleasing (the success). And the club on field and off field is going really well at the moment. The netballers as well," he said.
Fuller said it was exciting to be back on the big stage.
“It’s more than just the players, everybody’s on board. It has really kind of brought the local community together. We are just doing our best and everybody has kind of jumped on board,” he said.
And are the Eagles capable of winning on Saturday? Fuller reckons they can.
“You’d think (Springbank) would be favourites, but wouldn’t want to be off their game because we’ll be right there with them,” he said.
