MITTA United is poised to take a significant step towards a history-making fourth successive Tallangatta and District League premiership today. Article first appeared: 01 September 2007 Herald Sun
The TDFL powerhouse has won the past three flags to stretch a remarkable run of sustained success since Mitta and Eskdale merged to become Mitta United in 1952.
Since merging, the club has played in 28 grand finals and won 20 premierships, including the past three under Peter Copley (2004-05) and Phil Packer (2006).
Packer, who is in charge of Mitta United again this season, will guide the club into a second semi-final against Kiewa-Sandy Creek at Sandy Creek today.
Mitta United has a talented line-up that has been boosted this season by recent Ovens and Murray League captains Danny Cohen (Wodonga) and Nic Conway (Wodonga Raiders).
Conway played a club-record number of more than 300 games for Wodonga Raiders, including the 1998 premiership, before joining Mitta United.
"It's an amazing place," Conway said.
"The beauty about them is they don't concern themselves with anything anyone else may be doing; they just worry about themselves.
"The other thing that stands out is they are very loyal.
"During the year the mood can be pretty relaxed, but it's obvious players who have been around for a long time like John Tuenon, Lawrence Hodgkin and Tom Paton have taken a step up in training this week."
Conway will take the field today against Kiewa-Sandy Creek, which is coached by former Wodonga Raiders premiership teammate Simon Bone.
Kiewa-Sandy Creek, which defeated Barnawartha in the qualifying final last Saturday, is regarded as the biggest danger to Mitta United completing four flags in a row.
Cohen will come across former Wodonga teammates Leigh Cameron, Jack Rhodes and Ryan Richardson, who all play for Kiewa-Sandy Creek.
Richardson's father Des coached Kiewa-Sandy Creek to a premiership in 1981.
Tim Kindellan and Scott Bartel are also quality home-grown players.
Mitta United midfielder Chris Nelson recently joined his identical twin brother Justin as a winner of the TDFL's Barton Medal.
Barnawartha and Thurgoona play in the first semi-final tomorrow.