Once again the troika from the Royal Oak, Bob, Simon, and yours truly, headed over the border to partake in the ambience of a sporting event in the Riverina, this time we were in my old maternal family town of Corowa, to watch the local boys take on the visitors from Yarrawonga; the Pigeons.
The John Foord oval is a picturesque setting for a footy match. Nestled on the banks of the majestic Murray, with the wonderful wooden carving of footballers adorning the entrance, and its strong, proud gum trees the ground is a sight to behold.
The locals sat eighth on the ladder, though they were buoyed by a 14 point win over Wangaratta Rovers in their previous match. The fifth placed visitors were also coming off a win, having comfortably accounted for Wodonga the previous game.
Missing from the visitor’s line up was the competitions leading goal scorer, Captain Coach Brendan Fevola. Fevola with a broken bone in his foot hobbled out on his crutches at quarter time, and three quarter time, to inspire his players. You can’t keep a good man down.
Yarrawonga jumped away early, but the locals fought back, and with only seconds remaining in the first half lead by 16 points. A Yarrawonga gaol on the bell reduced the lead to 10 points. This goal, being the visitors only score for the term.
After half time the locals switched off, managing only 1-5 whilst conceding 9-7 to Yarrawonga. In the two Corowa games I’ve attended this year, a disconcerting similarity has featured. Second half fade outs have seen three goals in four quarters of football, with also late goals to the opposition indicating a waning concentration. What did Hegel say about history repeating itself? The kookaing of the Kookaburras in the dying stages seemed to almost mock the fade out of the locals.
Kayne Pettifer led the way for the visitor kicking five of their tally. He goaled on both the half time siren and the final siren; poetic licence? Re the final goal Richmond supporters might have appreciated the build-up as Pettifer marked, passed it back to another former Tiger in Craig Ednie, who passed it back to Pettifer who marked and goaled. Pettifer and Ednie were amongst the best for Yarrawonga, with good support from Brendan Symes, Riley Welsh and Brady Pritchard.
For the locals the redoubtable Alistair Austin fought hard as did young Jay O’Donoghue and Captain Coach Bryce Campbell. The potent forward due of Luke Geister and James Svarc had bagged ten goals between them in the victory over Wangaratta Rovers; five goals apiece. Again they were the main contributors for Corowa-Rutherglen, along with Damien Wilson, the three bagging two goals each
An important point I’d like to raise was the theme for this round of Ovens and Murray league matches. The round was played in support of the White Ribbon campaign, which aims to stop violence against women, a scourge which is the major cause of death and daibility for women under 45. Bob and I both wore our White Ribbon t-shirts playing our bit to raise awareness. All the footballers donned white armbands, the umpires wore white ribbons and a white ball was used. Great work, good onyas!
For Corowa-Rutherglen the focus is on the 2016 season, though five games remain in 2015. The iconic wood carving adjacent to the entrance could do some work as the central figure, marking in his left hand is sans one arm! I’ll be back up for a few games in 2016; wins would be nice.
Go Roos!
Corowa- Rutherglen: 3-1 7-2 7-3 8-7
Yarrawonga: 4-4 5-4 12-7 14-11
Glen!
Great piece Glen!
You have depicted that picturesque John Foord Oval beautifully!
Corowa should go back to being Spiders – especially now that Rutherglen plays as a stand alone club in the Tallangatta league and are known as the Cats.
What were Rutherglen called in the O & M? Maroons??
Good to see my old mate Russell Campbell’s boy, Bryce, leading Corowa from the front
Just looked up the O & M history website – Rutherglen were the Redlegs when they played.
Why are they now called the Cats…..?
Ta Dr Rocket. As always i appreciate your insight.
Jog my memory please; if Rutherglen were the Redlegs, who were Benalla ? Were they the Demons ?
Glen!
Yes Glen! Benalla were the Demons – wore a red Guernsey with a white vee – just like Collingullie still do in the Farrer League.
Benalla changed to the Saints when they went into the Goulburn Valley in the late 90s. Lemnos wore red and white and Shepp United were the Demons (red and blue).
Rochester had to change to Tigers when they went into the GVL in 1974 – once were Demons wearing red and black and red sox – Kyabram were red and black and Shepp United were Demons.
Now, of course, both clubs could have kept their original strip and worn away jumpers when they clashed.
I think there are presently three clubs known as Lions in the Kyabram and District League –
Stanhope, Undera and Violet Town