A MONSTER crowd that paid $15,000 at the gate flocked to Ouyen to mark the end of an era in country sport at the weekend.
If there’s anything bigger than Ben Hur, the last game between Ouyen United and Walpeup Underbool — featuring a reunion of the entire Mallee football community — was probably it.
A gold plated coin, specially minted for the occasion, was delivered to the centre circle by a helicopter sponsored by Billy Morrish of Top End Training, and used for the toss.
The Mallee Football League will wind-up at the end of this season and, discounting a minor miracle, Saturday’s game signals the final clash between on-field rivals Ouyen United and Walpeup Underbool as separate entities.
They will amalgamate and join the Sunraysia Football Netball League next season.
The day, which incorporated a reunion of past Mallee league players and officials, was a resounding success, with event supremo Michael “Boozer” Robertson — capably assisted by co-executive officer Donald McGregor — ecstatic about the outcome and the prospects for a merged club.
For more on this story see Wednesday’s Guardian (August 5, 2015).
