THE 120-year-old Wedderburn Football Club's players and supporters already know a thing or two about breaking a premiership drought. In 2005, the Redbacks' reserves won the flag, in the process ending a lean spell that stretched all the way back to 1952.

Now, everyone in the central Victorian community is hoping this year will provide reason for an even bigger party. The Wedderburn senior team, which has not won a premiership since 1970, has finished the home-and-away season two games clear on top of the ladder.

"Just the celebrations when the seconds won were good enough," said club secretary Tom Nisbet, who recently published a book titled A Brief History of the Redbacks. "At the start of every year, the lack of success comes up. It's been 37 years. It's a big burden. But this is as good as any side we've had here."

The North Central Football League finals series kicked off yesterday, with the Redbacks needing only two more wins, starting next Saturday against second-placed Birchip-Watchem, to bring the town to a standstill.

"If we win it, there'll be not much happening for a week," Nisbet said.

Having won only five games last year, Wedderburn's rise has come thanks to a prudent off-season recruiting drive. Among the players to have made a big difference are tough midfielder Daniel Gash, who is originally from Hay and had been playing in the VFL with the Bendigo Bombers' reserves, and young ruckman Josh Pearce, who arrived from Central Murray team Woorinen.

Another star of 2007, full-forward Darren Stenhouse, was brought to the Redbacks from Sunshine by his fiancee, who is the local publican's daughter. Stenhouse previously had a stint with Central District in the SANFL and has become a new favourite son. He heads into the finals with 97 goals to his name.

"Darren's been very, very good for us," said second-year senior coach Dean Lockhart. "He's not only a great footballer but also a ripping fella."

As with most bush footy clubs, Wedderburn has six players driving north each week from Melbourne, while many young members of the team are based in Bendigo and Ballarat. "Our junior program is really thorough, so we've got some great 18- and 19-year-olds coming through," said Lockhart. "That has given us a lot more depth."

The Redbacks started the season in blistering form. They beat St Arnaud by six goals in round one and went on to win their first 10 matches. Eventually, they were beaten by battling Wycheproof-Narraport, in what was a huge upset.

With top spot on the ladder wrapped up, Wedderburn coach Dean Lockhart rested a number of players from the last two home-and-away matches. His team promptly lost them both but Lockhart is unfazed at starting the finals campaign on the back of consecutive defeats.

"We had a great run with injuries until four weeks out from the finals," Lockhart said. "Then we had a situation where we had nine players out through injury and resting. We worked hard through the season to get that chance to rest players. I wanted to be cautious because we need all our players fit at this time of the year. We'll be almost full-strength next week."

Lockhart admits the team is carrying massive expectations into the finals. He is also well aware what happened most recent time the Redbacks made the grand final. In 2000 and 2001, they were favourites going into the big game but on both occasions had big losses.

And just two years ago, Wedderburn missed another chance to break the drought when it finished on top of the ladder but narrowly lost the second semi-final and was thumped in the preliminary.

"The best part about this side is they're young and they don't bring any baggage like that," Lockhart said. "There are only three blokes left from the 2001 losing grand final side. But we need to get the monkey off our back. There is no doubt about that."

All six other clubs in the NCFL have triumphed since the Redbacks most recently lifted the cup.

"It's 37 years since we won one but we've always been up there," Lockhart said. "In the 20 years I've been involved with the Wedderburn Football Club, we probably had a dark period from '95 to '97, but the rest of the time, we've either been in the finals or knocking on the door. We're due."

Lockhart has played senior football for 20 years, including three premierships with Essendon District league club Keilor. A rugged defender, he knows his leadership will be vitally important in the coming weeks.

If it isn't up to scratch, he will have to answer to the president, who just happens to be his brother, Tim.

"If I don't get them over the line, it might come down to that!" Lockhart said. "It could be interesting. There's a real combination of nerves and excitement. It's all good. In a small community like Wedderburn, if the footy club's going well, the town's going well."

Article first appeared: The Age September 2, 2007