Glory Days

The last decade in the Farrer FL for Lockhart was a tough one with no finals appearances. They made the move to the Hume FL that rejuvenated a community and club – they found a spark under a new coach, new president and a new attitude – scraping into the finals they found form at the right time – they learnt how to win – enjoy Lockhart 1982 – "The Premiership Trail”

The Tallangatta cricket club were on a high – they had fought its way through a tough finals series and were ready to for the final challenge on grand final day – however tragedy struck just days before the decider – they found a way to process, unite and complete an emotional backs against the wall triumph enjoy “Tallangatta – Heart of the Bushies”

It was the biggest sporting event to hit the Murray River city of Albury and it turned out to be one the biggest upsets in World Cup cricket history – a bunch of amateur cricketers from all walks of life in Zimbabwe took on the professionals from England and stunned the cricketing world and catapulted its entry into full ICC playing status enjoy “ Lions Amongst The Chickens”  

It was one of the finest ever achievements in the history of cricket in Albury Wodonga – a bunch of local cricketers making their way to the Sydney Cricket Ground and taking out regional NSW biggest prize – it wasn’t all smooth sailing as the Border Bullets produced an amazing comeback to claim the trophy – enjoy “Bullet Dodged – The SCG Miracle”

Things had been lean for the Balldale Magpies since its last premiership in 1962 – the club were up for one more fling at a Hume FL flag and with the signing of former Richmond star Dick Grimmond as coach he had his trusty side kick Les Waldron as assistant and a few very handy recruits – they completed an unbeaten premiership season in 1972 but it took a mighty final quarter effort to do so – enj...

Albury commenced its 1982 pre season with one thing and one thing only on its agenda – redemption for a gut wrenching loss in the 1981 decider against Wodonga – they trained incredibly hard, they recruited class and pace and they found a steely resolve that nothing was going to deny them to break a sixteen year premiership drought – this is Tiger Tales Episode One – “Tiger Jackpot”

Albury Thunder had played two decades in Group Nine without a senior premiership, they had gone close in recent years but could not take the next step, they recruited some top end talent, they got fitter and they changed a culture to become a force in one of country rugby leagues toughest competitions – enjoy "Roaring Thunder 2012".

The off field carnage was over the new committee had commenced the recovery mission – on field North Albury had drawn a line in the sand and were fighting hard despite all the dramas at 7 wins 5 losses after twelve rounds clinging to a spot in the top five – enjoy the finish of “North Albury 1984 – Rags to Riches” Episode B

Financially insolvent North Albury Football club faced extinction from the 1984 season after just seven rounds – players had not been paid for over two years – it came to a head on June 6th 1984, it was D Day, it was the night the club found a lifeline, it found leadership, it found hope and it rebounded – enjoy “North Albury 1984 Rags to Riches“ Episode A

50 years of Australian Rules football in Tumbarumba is a story of resilience in the face of adversity in what was a Rugby League stronghold – they know how to fight, they don’t give up and they love their community – it’s a great story of emotion, humour and downright determination to survive and prosper its Tumba Bloody Rumba Fifty Not Out

It was the centenary year for the Wodonga Football Club and they had recruited a South Melbourne legend David McLeish as coach, they had home grown talent to burn and started the season with twelve straight wins – a second semi final mauling by old foe Albury stunned the Bulldogs – the response was staggering as Wodonga made Ovens and Murray FL history – enjoy Wodonga 1981 – “The Turnaround”

They were one of the oldest football clubs in Australia, but Yackandandah hadn’t converted longevity into premierships with 1964 its last success. They had been beaten in four prelim finals in the nineties. Things were about to change as the party boys got fair dinkum. They got fit and they got the prize – enjoy “Yackandandah 2000 – Yackety Yack, What A Comeback”

A decade had passed since Hay’s first and only premiership, they had been close several times for that elusive second flag – they appointed a 21 year old as coach who pulled a town and playing group together to become a powerful force that re wrote the history books in Hay’s proud  sporting history --- they played hard on the field and just as hard off enjoy Hay 1992 The Triple Treat --

Things were looking bright for Belvoir ahead of the 2015/16 season – a new coach, new recruits and a strong hunger for success as they were searching for its first ever CAW Provincial A grade premiership – they got there in the end, but it was one hell of a ride in a season that had the lot  – enjoy “Belvoir 2015/16 Captains Call” ---

Episode B of “Corowa 1968 – Last to First” starts with a massive final home and away match and then into a gripping and emotion charged finals series that engulfed a club and a community as the mighty Spiders pulled off a remarkable rags to riches victory --- 

Wooden spoons for Corowa Spiders in 1966 and 1967 was enough for the committee and community.  “Things had to change” said President Jack Fisher, and change they did, by recruiting Richmond’s 1967 premiership captain Fred Swift – the ball was rolling for the “Last to First” campaign and this episode starts the journey ---

 Myrtleford were looking for its 2nd Ovens and Murray FL flag and had appointed Greg Nichols as coach along with other stars like Peter Ruscucklic and then of course there was one Gary Ablett who made his way to town -- this is one hell of a story that delivered one of the leagues greatest ever seasons that had everything ----

Times had been tough for Daysdale having won five games in the last five years heading into the 1994 Coreen Football league season – the clubs 100th year – they had had enough and the planning over the last few years was starting to take shape to break a thirty year premiership drought --- the Black and Whites were ready to fight and fight they did in a remarkable fairy tale finish ---

First three episodes completed and currently into production phase of what is going to be a cracking set of Glory Days podcasts coming up --- to keep you in the mood we have produced a short recap on some of the great moments from season one ----

Holbrook led by WW II returned veteran and 1948 Melbourne premiership player Stan Rule looked anything but a flag contender after winning just 2 of its first 8 games - Culcairn had won the last three premierships, North Wagga were led by a Brownlow medalist and MCU the old enemy were looking good --- but the Brookers found a way - its a great story enjoy !

The Brookers were searching for their 14th premiership and their first in the Farrer FL, former Footscray star Brian Prior was the coach and the locals were hungry and had recruited well ---

Last minute resignation of high profile coach left Holbrook in limbo -- they went local got the right man and the rest is history - a premiership to celebrate for the green and gold --