A knee injury meant Michael Phyland missed Bacchus Marsh’s 1999 Ballarat Football League grand final.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Cobras lost that premiership battle – giving Sunbury three flags in a row.
While that was not a day to savour for Phyland, his sons Declan and Michael are hoping to have a big say in reversing the roles against Sunbury in Saturday’s grand final at the Eastern Oval and making it one for the ages for their family.
Declan and Michael Phyland are among the core of Bacchus Marsh players to have worked their way through the club’s junior program to guide the Cobras into a third grand final.
Declan, 23 has played more than 100 senior games since first kicking the football around in the under-10s, while Lachlan, 22, is close to 50 appearances.
“It's a very special time. We’re hungry to make the most of it,” Declan said.
He said there had been gradual growth in the team over the past two or three years and there was a determination to capitalise on it.
Lachlan said there had been a natural improvement in a young list, and with the experience gained and added to the team had come more belief.
The brothers agreed that it was the decisive round two win over arch-rival and reigning premier Darley that had ignited a new-found confidence and belief.
Coach Travis Hodgson’s initial goal was to win 10 matches – the number he believed would guarantee the Cobras played finals for the first time in 15 years.
The Phylands said this had been re-assessed after reaching eight wins in round 12.
They said the aim then was to finish two.
And Bacchus Marsh achieved this, only missing out on the minor premiership after losing the last home and away game against Lake Wendouree.
It has been no surprise to see the Phyland brothers develop into important players for Bacchus Marsh, given their bloodline.
Michael Phyland played with the Sydney Swans from 1987 to 1990 before embarking on a distinguished career in the BFL.
He coached Redan in 1992 and 1992, winning the Henderson Medal in 1992, and then spent 1993 with the Lions as a player.
Phyland then made the move to Bacchus Marsh, playing either side of coaching in 1996 and 1997.
The likes of Declan and Lachlan Phyland, and captain Tyson Shea, who are all Bacchus Marsh through-and-through, were always going to be important in the make up of a team under first-year coach Travis Hodgson.
They also needed a top up and that is what happened with the return of Alec Del Papa, Matt Denham, Rhys McNay, and recruiting of top guns Damian Cupido, Daniel Burton and Jarrah Maksymow, and to this moment it could not have worked better,