Odds of Echuca winning a hat-trick of GVL football premierships this season are shortening after the first week of the finals last weekend.
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Echuca’s thirds, reserves and senior teams gave all their remaining rivals a timely reminder it is September and time to step up.
Its thirds side was considered vulnerable against Shepparton last Saturday, but romped home to show it’s the team to beat for the flag.
Its reserves side remained unbeaten with a hard-fought win over Kyabram, while its senior side continued its dominance over Shepparton in recent seasons to show why it’s a hot flag favourite.
Finals boost for Bombers?
Could Kyabram’s ‘forgotten’ footballer Anthony Depasquale still play finals football for the Bombers this season?
After starting the year with Kyabram, he is now making his mark with VFL club Werribee.
He kicked five goals in a final last weekend, which Werribee lost, and if it is beaten again this weekend its season is done.
With Kyabram’s win over Shepp Swans at the weekend giving Kyabram a double chance, Depasquale could be available for the preliminary final or grand final.
You would think that would be a natural gesture by Werribee to let Depasquale play with his home club, but you wouldn’t bet on it.
Morgan joins exclusive club
Kyabram footballer Jason Morgan joined a select club when he played his 300th senior game for the Bombers against Shepparton recently.
There are only 22 members of the 300 club, with Tatura’s champion rover of the 1958-1973 era, Freddo McMahon, the first to reach the milestone in season 1976.
McMahon finished up playing 300 games for the Bulldogs and although 85 years of age still follows the fortunes of his club closely, although there has not been too much joy in recent seasons.
There is only one player, Rochester’s Anthony (Tank) McPhee, who has played more than 400 senior games in the GVL in its 130-year history. He played 410 games.
McPhee holds that record alone at the moment and it’s a record that no current player looks like seriously challenging.
Bruce Watson was the first Rochester player to play 300 senior games (finishing with 302) before retiring from playing in 1989.
With Morgan now joining the 300 club, Kyabram now has two members in it.
Kyabram’s 1996 premiership captain Rusty McDonell, with 337 games, once held the record, taking it from Tongala forward Mick Souter, who played 333 games with the Blues.
At nearly 41 years of age, Morgan is certainly the oldest player to join the 300 club, and it’s going to be interesting to see whether he goes around again next season, with his form this season certainly warranting it and a family connection with the new coach, Daryl Wilson.
GVL 300 GAMES-PLUS HONOUR ROLL
Tatura: Freddo McMahon, Linc Wellington, Paul Kirby, Dene Archer, Gary Cooper (also Mooroopna, Shepparton United).
Tongala: Mick Souter.
Echuca: Joe Haw.
Rochester: Bruce Watson, Simon McCarthy.
Kyabram: Jason Morgan, Tony McDonnell.
Mansfield: James Herridge.
Mooroopna: Billy Wong, Jeff Vandermeer.
Shepparton: Steven Ash, Nick Allen.
Shepp United, Shepp Swans: Wayne Ford.
Euroa: Scott Watson, Craig Bamford.
Seymour: Mick O’Donnell, Shane Schottner.
Ross reaches new heights
While on the 300 games club, Nathalia’s star ruckman, Brodie Ross, reached the magical milestone in the final Murray League home-and-away round two weeks ago.
He became only the third player in the club’s 138 years history to attain the milestone.
Ross has collected some top individual awards in his career, with a league O’Dwyer Medal and MVP awards, three club best-and-fairest awards and a league goalkicking award, and he has been a five-time MFL representative player.
Youngsters break drought
The thrilling premiership win by Kyabram’s Under 16 footballers two weeks ago has raised an interesting question.
When was the previous flag won by a Kyabram Under 16 division one side?
No-one I have contacted can recall the last win, although one reader suggested it may have been as far back as the 1990s.
Luck of the draw
My story in these columns last week on Rushworth Football Club’s 1973 season, when it and Tooborac played three ties, had a sidekick to it.
Rather uncannily the three tied games, including the second semi-final and grand final, had the same central umpire: Billy Clymo.
Clymo was well known in the Bendigo area and was a fine all-round sportsman who died in 2023.
Girgarre coach steps down
Girgarre Football Club is seeking a new coach.
Former Mt Pleasant player Tyler McNamara, who coached the club this season, is stepping down after one season at the helm, and the hunt is now on for his successor.
Club president Brendan Nicholson said family circumstances had forced McNamara to step down and his club was no seeking a replacement, with a couple of prospective applicants in mind at this stage.
Mike ‘up’ in Mathoura
Picola Football League is literally going to be ‘‘up there’’ at its grand final this season.
Mike Brady will be a special guest at the season decider at Mathoura on September 12 and will perform a four-song medley at half-time.
Naturally one of those songs will be Up There Cazaly, which put him on the map.
Cohuna stays put
Cohuna Football Netball Club’s latest bid to join the Heathcote District Football Netball League was recently rejected on a 3-6 vote of clubs from its current competition, the Central Murray Football Netball League.
Cohuna needed a two thirds vote to allow the transfer.
It’s the third unsuccessful attempt Cohuna has made to switch leagues.