DEATH, taxes and Tom Mullane-Grant kicking goals for Bright.

Since he arrived at the club back in 2019 as senior coach and then took his team to a long-awaited grand final, Mullane-Grant has kicked an incredible 411 goals in just 60 matches.

On Saturday, he brought up his third century in four seasons at the club as the Mountain Men’s reserves side easily accounted for North Wangaratta at Pioneer Park.

With experienced players such as Brad Nightingale, Dylan Bursill and Regan Alexander back to bolster the side’s depth in the 16.10 (106) to 4.7 (31) win, 40-year-old Mullane-Grant snagged eight goals to bring his season tally to an even 100 in 14 matches, but certainly has no intentions of slowing down just yet and is still very much enjoying his time in the game.

“I love footy – I have played since I was five and I still love the competitive element,” Mullane-Grant said.

“My son runs the water and he is obsessed with the game – we love being out there on the field together.”

“Finals is a wonderful time of year and I’m just grateful I still get to be a part of it.”

A final-round heavyweight clash between Milawa and reigning premiers Bright this weekend will have huge ramifications on the upcoming finals series, with the winner to seal top spot and the minor premiership, while the other will have to play sudden-death footy for a month to win the flag.

“We have played Milawa once earlier in the year and had a narrow victory,” Mullane-Grant added when discussing his team’s chances.

“A lot depends on the personnel available for both teams, but if we go into the game with the fire in the belly, I think we’ll be good enough to take the chocolates.”

In the senior competition, Bright were able to overcome a slow start after the bye to record a 61-point victory, but not without a first half scare from North Wangaratta as the full-time scoreboard read 17.10 (112) to 8.3 (51).

Although the half-time margin was only 17 points, a seven goal to nil third term in favour of the Mountain Men ended any chance of an unlikely Hawks upset.

Luke Quirk (five goals) and Declan Bren (three) were the most damaging forwards on the ground, while midfielders Clay Cambridge-Dillon, Riley Bacon and James Love, along with young star ruckman Joe Gray, were named as Bright’s best.

The win cements Bright’s spot in third position on the Ovens and King league ladder with one round remaining, as the winner of this weekend's contest involving King Valley and North Wangaratta will oppose Bright in the first week of a fascinating finals series.

Its upcoming match against Milawa on Saturday won’t disrupt current ladder positions, but both teams will be desperate to put their best foot forward before a potential semi-final showdown in a fortnight.