Saints to celebrate
Scribes of the time called it a ‘fairytale win’ and all with fond memories of the 1981 Horsham District Football League premiership will have a chance to relive it again this weekend.
Horsham Saints have organised a 40-year reunion of a St Michaels premiership at Coughlin Park Community Centre in Horsham on Saturday.
The occasion will coincide with Horsham Saints’ opening-round of the 2021 Wimmera Football Netball League season, against Dimboola.
History tells us that in 1981, underdog St Michaels with the late Eddie Arundell at the helm, won a high-scoring grand-final thriller by 17 points against Natimuk at Horsham City Oval.
The press described it as a ‘rags to riches final series’ for the Saints, who had not only earlier lost a qualifying final to the Rams by 106 points, but also trailed in the season finale by 39 points at half time.
Ruck-rover Tony Chanter, who switched his boots for sandshoes at half time, was the hero of the day leading a young Saints team, which also featured profound efforts from Jack and Paul Magee, five-goal Shane Irwin and Don Schulz.
Goals from Irwin and Ian Toull put St Michaels in front as the game went into time on and then Carlo Sordello kicked the sealer.
In the end, the Saints won 23.17 (155) to Natimuk 21.12 (138).
Star rover Gary Jelly coached the Rams and with Jack Schmidt, Chris Toet, Bruce Knight and Billy Lovel was among best players.
The dinner will start at noon on Saturday, after an informal get-together, also at Coughlin Park, the night before.