The Road had squandered their chances in a heartbreaking three-point defeat to Cobram, falling on the wrong side of an all-time Murray Football League grand final classic.
It was a far cry from the scenes of the previous year’s one-point ecstasy that had delivered the club its first premiership in 31 years.
But fast-forward to this Saturday, and yet another barnstorming campaign has led Congupna to a fourth consecutive grand final.
And, potentially, the Road to redemption.
It’s a rematch of the 2025 decider against the Tigers, and coach Ben Bingham in his final game in the drivers’ seat, said his team will take important lessons from an impressive recent club CV.
“You’ve got to use your past learnings to your advantage - we'd be silly not do that,” Bingham said.
“We haven't done everything perfectly every year, but we've got a lot right. I think the benefit is probably the motivation within in the group.”
This time around, Congupna isn’t boasting its unblemished lead-in to the 2025 grand final, with their sole defeat of the year coming against Cobram back in round 16.
The semi-final two weeks ago, one Congupna nudged the Tigers in by three points in a blustery classic at Rumbalara, suggests another epic is incoming, the latest chapter in one of local footy’s great rivalries.
“It was tricky conditions in that second semi-final,” Bingham said.
“It was a bit more of a contested game.
“I reckon this game will be played completely differently; we’ve played against them enough, and they've played against us enough to know the key pillars in each team.”
O’Dwyer Medal runner-up Bryden Squire and Jimmy Boyer will be pivotal through the midfield for Congupna up against Bowen Calogero, the experienced Tyron Baden, and former AFL ruckman Jackson Trengove.
The forwards are also poised to light up the contest.
Livewire Kyle Mueller has made the big stage his own in both Murray and Goulburn Valley League deciders in the past, while Dan Schaper has booted 71 goals for the campaign to loom as the day’s premier spearhead.
Cobram’s Ben Ryan, third in the league goal kicking with 56, won’t be far behind and kicked a vital three majors in last year’s grand final.
Nevertheless, Bingham backs his boys.
“The household names in BJ (Squire), Jimmy Boyer, and Daniel Schaper are always bright lights, but a couple of our guys who have been our role players in previous years have stepped up,” he said.
“The likes of Jordan Gee and Sam Slavich have taken their role to a new level this year, and Jonah Vraca coming into the club has added a key pillar (in defence) for us down there.”
On what shapes as a glorious Moama day, it won’t just be the Congupna seniors striding out.
The clubs reserves, for a second consecutive season, will compete in the big dance with revenge on their mind as well.
“This time around it's just really making the most the opportunity that we've got,” said Bingham.
“In previous years, we've maybe taken it for granted, but this year we felt like we've had to work a lot harder to get to this position.
“It's more of embracing the occasion with both grades in here as well - something that we really pride ourselves on.”
The first bounce of the grand final is at 2.30pm at Moama Recreation Reserve.
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