TEN years ago, Tanunda football trio Matt Prior, Aron Fechner and Ben Schiller celebrated an A-grade grand final victory over Angaston at Freeling Oval – and on Saturday, they did it again.

Schiller, who is now captain, was 17 at the time, while Fechner and Prior were both 19 when the Magpies claimed the 2009 premiership over the Panthers.

A decade later, and as some of the seasoned heads of the group, the trio reminisced on the premiership and compared the pair. “I think this means a bit more,” Prior said.

“We were a bit naïve back in the day, and we were winning quite a bit.

“After eight years with no premiership, we definitely took it for granted when we were younger.”

Prior added the current crop of players have a close bond, with some of the members having played together for over a decade.

“I love playing with the boys we’ve got,” he said.

“We’re a close knit group.

“I love having a kick and a catch with them on a Thursday and Friday and I couldn’t think of anything better than winning a flag with them.

“After 10 years, keeping it local is great.”

Fechner added the déjà vu feeling was quite bizarre.

“It was a bit of an omen really, Freeling Oval against Angaston,” he said.

“We still have a few boys from the old days in the side.

“It’s unreal 10 years down the track, it’s been a long time between drinks.

“Now we’ve got families, and just to have the win on the big day was unreal.”

Tanunda went on to win a further two flags in 2010 and 2011, while Angaston has been starved of not only success, but finals appearances.

Yet, Fechner was happy to see the Panthers claw their way back into premiership contention once again.

“It’s good to see the Angaston boys back after a few tough years,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to a few more tough games against them.”