Burras set for 1997 reunion

Wimmera football premiership reunions will continue into August with Minyip-murtoa set to celebrate its 1997 pennant, the second of its historic hat-trick of flags.

With Stawell fresh from reliving the glory of its historic 1987 flag last weekend, the Burras will rekindle memories with a back-to celebration during football action against Horsham Saints at Minyip on August 19.

John Harvey, the often controversial and polarising Burras coach of the time, will be among guests.

Other guests will include another former coach and one of the best players to wear a Burras jumper, Paul Baker.

He will travel from Perth, as will Shane ‘Harry’ Lindsay who kicked five goals in the premiership triumph.

Matt Hopkins, another who had a profound influence on the game with a memorable tackle in front of the Horsham City Oval grandstand that led to a goal, will travel from Adelaide for the occasion.

The 1997 grand final rates as one of the most exciting of the 1990s in a decade of tremendous rivalries.

The record shows that Minyip beat St Michaels, which became Horsham Saints, 25-17 (167) to 17.9 (111).

The Burras went on to again beat the Saints the following year to complete the hat-trick before Ararat brought their domination of the competition to a stop in 1999.

Minyip-murtoa then endured a 16-year grand final drought until last year, when it made the season finale, again against the Saints.