Remember when? Grand FINAL EDITION!
This weeks SS&A OMFNL grand final will see Yarrawonga take on Wangaratta Rovers for the first time in a decider since 1991. It will be the sixth time the two have met in a grand final. The current ledger sits at 4-1 in favour of the Hawks – so let’s see how the previous encounters played out starting with the 1959 epic that is still rated as arguably the greatest grand final in the league’s
history.
The year was 1959 and the Pigeons were hoping to do what their opponent had done the previous year – win its inaugural OMFL premiership. Both teams had VFL legends coaching the respective teams with Collingwood legend Bob Rose at the helm of Rovers and Fitzroy immortal Billy Stephens coach of Yarrawonga.
Despite six goals from Rovers stars Max Newth and five to Rose, Yarrawonga
came from behind at three-quarter time to win a heartstopper by 8 points with a late Alf O’Connor goal sealing the result with a minute left 17-10-112 to 16-8 104. Bill Stephen was named best on the ground for the Pigeons.
Twelve years later Yarrawonga after defeating Benalla in the 2 nd semi-final by 11 points took on Rovers who had come from 4 th place – the Pigeons looked home at the last change leading by 20 points before the Rovers stormed home to win 16-11-107 to 13-10-88. The following year in 1972 it was on again with Rovers led by OMFNL Hall of Famer and North Melbourne premiership star Mick Nolan coming from behind at halftime to win 12-20-92 to Yarrawonga 11-9-75.
Two years later the 1974 decider was virtually all over by quarter time after Wangaratta Rovers booted eight goals to one to lead by 44 points. The final margin was 61 points with Neville Hogan best on ground with six goals – Yarrawonga had beaten the Rovers two weeks prior in the 2nd semi-final.
The most recent grand final clash was back in 1991 and again it was Yarrawonga winning the 2nd semi-final and again it was Rovers courtesy of a big first quarter who would take the premiership 17- 16-118 to 7-7-49 under Laurie Burt’s coaching – Mick Caruso was awarded the inaugural Did Simpson medal ahead of Neil McMonigle who booted 7 goals.
The two clubs have also played off in two netball grand finals in 2009 and 2010 with the Pigeons comfortable winners on both occasions. Yarrawonga bolted home 58-38 in 2009 and then made it back-to-back with a 47-35 win the following year. Yarrawonga would go on to win the next two flags.
Will this season’s clash between Yarrawonga and Wodonga Raiders be the start of many more?
