Inspired by the recruitment of former Essendon cult hero Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, a country footy club is just one win away from achieving the remarkable feat of going from wooden spooners to premiers.

After going winless in 2023, Imperial have undertaken an extraordinary turnaround and will face Wentworth in this Saturday's Sunraysia Football League grand final.

McDonald-Tipungwuti has been a big factor in the club's transformation with the ex-Bomber enjoying a strong season in his new colours.

Imperial club president Dale Stafford said that McDonald-Tipungwuti's impact on the club extends a lot further than just his on-field performances.

"He's fitted in like he's been at the club for 20 years," Stafford told the Herald Sun.

"What he does on the field is outstanding but it's what he does off the field is even better, we can't speak highly enough."

McDonald-Tipungwuti has already committed to Imperial beyond this season with the club announcing in July that he has signed on for the 2025 season.

In 2024, the exciting small forward has kicked 31 goals from 14 appearances and has been named among his team's best players on five occasions.

His best effort was a five-goal performance against Robinvale Euston during the Sunraysia Football League's Indigenous Round celebrations, which saw the 31-year-old judged best-on-ground.

However, Stafford said it has been McDonald-Tipungwuti's ability to bring teammates into the game that has been most impressive.

"If he's kicked 31 (goals) he would have three or four times that in goal assists," he said.

"He's incredibly unselfish, sometimes too unselfish, that's just the type of person he is."

Imperials – who won their last premiership in 2013 – are the Sunraysia Football League's most successful club having won 19 flags since joining the competition when it was formed in 1945.

The club has lost just the one game in 2024 and are fresh off a one-week rest after winning last week's semi-final against Irymple by 12 points.

Earlier in the year the team won its first game in 617 days by defeating last year's grand finalists Robinvale-Euston by 27 points.

Stafford said that while he thought that Imperial would improve on their season last year, reaching a grand final had come earlier than expected.

"We had a three-year plan but it's come 12 months earlier," he said.

"We thought we had a squad which could compete with the top end (but) by no means we thought we'd get through, dropping one game, and being in the position we are now."

Wentworth shape as formidable opponents having recorded a 41-point win over Mildura in the semi-final and a comprehensive 44-point triumph over Irymple in last weekend's preliminary final.

Imperial and Wentworth have met on two occasions this season resulting in one win apiece.

This Saturday's grand final is scheduled to begin at 2:30PM at the Mildura Sporting Precinct.