Twenty six years is a long time to wait for a rematch. After almost three decades after the first ever clash between teams representing country Victoria and Metropolitan leagues, the two old foes will renew aquaitances this Saturday down at the Simonds Stadium at Geelong. As we speak we still do not know who from our League will be playing the 4pm game. The final team will be announced after training this Wednesday afternoon. Former Hawthorn champ Peter KNIGHTS is the coach again after having mixed success when we have played the Amatuers oer the last 25 years of so. We have seven of our GVFL boys in the squad and of course we wish to be well represented but you can back it in that their clubs would really like them to have a week-end off. Our players still in the mix are :- Tim LOOBY from Shepparton United; Luke MORGAN from Benalla; Will MARTINELLO also from Benalla; Brendan HOLLOW from Rochester; Justin MADDERN from the Shepparton Swans, Tom SHELDON from Kyabram and Dan WILLIS from Shepparton. To these players who are in the Squad, CONGRATULATIONS for being selected and to the players who represent Country Victoria No. 1 an extra congratulations. We know you will do yourself, your Club and your League proud.
Also, we have three of our Under 19 players representing Country Victoria in the 11am game at the St Alban's Football CLub oval (suburb of Geelong). Congratulations to Jake PALPRATT from Benalla who has been announced as Captain and to Will and J.D. HAYES from the Euroa Football Club. Former Shepparton United player Damien SEXTON from Finley is the Coach of this team who play a combined Under 19 side from the Victorian Amatuer Football Association.
Now - going back to July 20th 1986 - the Boys from the Bush belted the City Slickers at the Queen Elizabeth Oval in Bendigo. The game was then dubbed the Tooheys Challenge Cup - our own Keith WELLMAN was the Team Manager - the late Rowland CROSBY was the Coach - we were very well represented in this game by former Shepparton player David CODE (Morrison Medals in 1980 and 1981) who was the captain. Brothers Tony and John JONES from Tongala were also in the side. David CODE went on to hold a Senior position with the Victorian Country Football League and for the last twenty years or so, the player selected to be our best player in these representative games is awarded the David CODE Medal. Also in that victorious 1986 side were Gavin EXCELL who kicked 9 goals and current Port Adelaide coach Ken HINKLEY kicked 6. Big Gav was drafted to Geelong for the start of the 1987 season whereas Ken was drafted to Fitzroy where he spent two years before going down to Geelong. It was an emphatic win 26.13 (169) to the metro's 12.8 (80). Here is proof that if country players perform well at this level as this example is given they could be drafted.
This year the chance to represent A.F.L. Country Victoria offers individuals a chance to secure their own place in history and ensure Country's reputation as the heartland of Australian football remains intact. And; who knows, perhaps be drafted.
No doubt this game will be a tough encounter because of all the very recently retired A.F.L. players who are running around in the suburds. Good luck to our boys - let's hope you do very well, do not get injured or too sore and come home and represent your clubs with great distinction.
GO COUNTRY !!!!!!!
Last Modified on 28/03/2015 18:41