The 23-year-old asked coach Travis Hodgson last year for more time in the midfield

He was given an opportunity, but Blundell said it proved more difficult than he thought – not finding himself where he needed to be to attract the football often enough.

Then late in the season came the change which would see him find an onball/midfield niche in what would be Bacchus Marsh’s first premiership team in the Ballarat Football League.

He was given the role known in old-fashioned terms as a tagger.

Blundell has continued in this vein this year and with it gone from strength-to-strength, going with some of the competition’s best, such as Nick Peters (Lake Wendouree), new Henderson Medallist Nathan Horbury (Redan), and Darley duo Heath Scotland and Brian Graham.

Blundell said the run-with role was the perfect way to learn to be in the right spot.

He now not only works at shutting down the big guns, but also adding an extra dimension to the attacking side of the Cobras.

The pacy Blundell is expecting to again have time matching up with Graham and Scotland in Saturday’s grand final on the vast spaces of Mars Stadium, and he has never been more determined to see Bacchus Marsh succeed.

The Cobras went through last year’s finals unbeaten and Blundell admits that after their first up win over Lake Wendouree in the qualifying final this season he felt they might do the same.

He said going through in straight sets had entered his mind.

How wrong he was, with Darley defeating Bacchus Marsh by 98 points.

Blundell said that loss had made the Cobras more determined than they had ever been.

“We’re not scared.

“Its made sure there’s no chance of complacency,” he said.

He said there was a real resolve to bounce back.

Blundell, who is one of a large part of the team to have gone through Bacchus Marsh junior ranks, playing alongside the likes of Lachlan Phyland, Liam Mullen, Liam Noonan and Trent Angwin, said playing against Darley was also providing an extra incentive.

“You can feel it – in the club and around the town. We’re really pumped.”

Blundell said it was just as big as last year when history beckoning the players.

“We’ve got even more to prove this time (against the arch-rival).”

Last year was the first premiership side Blundell had played in.

He had been to a grand final before, but never tasted success. Blundell is determined to make the most of another opportunity.