The Mallee Football Interleague Team is sponsored by Bill and Tania Morrish at Top End Training - Ouyen
by Jim Gordon
When the Mallee Football League takes on the might of the North Central League on May 28, it will be the first time in VCFL Championship history that a District League will have qualified to play against a Regional League.
This historic encounter will take place at Donald on Saturday May 28 and occurs because the Mallee League defeated the Horsham District League in a stirring victory at Hopetoun in 2010.
Yet the significance of this game is more than a David vs. Goliath rematch because the Inter League history of these two sides goes back a long way. For forty years these two leagues combined forces to play against others from the 14 Victorian Districts. This was instigated by the two Presidents of the Leagues at that time, Allan Dunstan and Merv Young, and the practice continued until two years ago.
It all began in 1969 when the Mallee League combined with North Central to play against Northern Districts at Cohuna. In this elite team, Tiega’s Dennis O’Callaghan, Walpeup’s Barry Gniel and Murrayville’s Ritchie Kalms and Gary Sporn joined their North Central team mates at the start of a tradition of the two leagues combining to play at District level.
In fact, in 1974 this team won the Division I VCFL Championship with local players, John White [Ouyen] Barry Gniel [Walpeup] Greg Robertson [T.G.P.] Bob Latta [Walpeup] and Chris Brown [Underbool] playing in the premiership side alongside such names as Jim Jess [Richmond] Hugh Delahunty [current minister for sport, Essendon] John Forster [Melbourne] Maurie Wood [North Melbourne] and Murray Guilmore [Geelong] with the 1958 Collingwood captain as coach.
With such a rich history, it is no wonder that the VCFL consider Mallee’s 2010 achievement so highly and are eagerly awaiting the day when the top MFL players get the chance to take on North Central in 2011.
As well as the honour of representing their League, there is much to be gained by being selected to play Inter League football. There is a lot in it for the local footballer eager to improve his standing, gain the respect of his peers and play at the highest level available.
This is the biggest showcase for the very best players. It is a chance for MFL players to show their ability against the highest quality opposition. It is arguably the highest level that most players can play at and it is an opportunity for Clubs to promote the League and to attract other players to playing here.
For the younger player, it is a vital step on the way to impressing talent scouts on that slippery route to possible AFL stardom. It is then a permanent record of achievement and can be used when moving from club to club which is an unfortunate (or fortunate) modern aspect of country football.
Last Modified on 16/05/2011 18:00
