From heartache on the field to triumph over adversity, the Border sport scene had it all, and then some, this year. Among our own were those who made their presence felt on the international stage in more ways than one. BRETT KOHLHAGEN takes a look at 10 of the biggest moments to remember.
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1 COLLISION COURSE
AN eerie silence swept over the Albury Sportsground as young Tiger defender James McQuillan lay motionless on the ground after a collision with Yarrawonga’s Marcus Cummins in the opening round of the Ovens and Murray season.
With his girlfriend Kathryn James one of the first on the scene as a trainer, officials had no hesitation in calling the match off after McQuillan lost feeling in his legs.
Scans revealed he had sustained an unstable fracture of his C5 vertebrae, which had compressed and damaged the spinal cord.
He has spent the past eight months undergoing rehabilitation in Melbourne and hopes to return to Thurgoona in coming months to resume his physiotherapy studies.
2 SERVING COUNTRY
ALBURY tennis star Sam Groth was picked in the Davis Cup side and didn’t disappoint.
The big-serving Groth defeated world No. 527 Temur Ismailov 6-3 6-2 as Australia swept aside to a 5-0 world group playoff triumph over Uzbekistan in Perth.
He was the 105th player to represent Australia in Davis Cup.
“This year has been great,” Groth said.
“To have the breakthrough at Newport and obviously the honour of representing your country in Davis Cup and the ranking breakthroughs has been fantastic.”
3 SCORCHING CONTEST
MELBOURNE Heart defy a mighty challenge from Perth Glory and searing temperatures to win their A-League match 2-1 at Lavington Oval.
In front of about 6000 fans, Heart super sub David Williams landed the matchwinner with an 82nd-minute goal.
The match was moved from 3pm to 5pm in an effort to evade the searing temperatures and, although it was above 40 degrees as the game kicked off, it had cooled down by its end. The clash was marred by Melbourne Heart supporters letting off flares on a total fire ban day.
4 THUNDER HAT-TRICK
ALBURY Thunder wrote itself into Group 9 rugby league folklore by winning a third successive premiership.
Josh Cale’s line-up demolished Southcity 45-4 in the grand final at Wagga’s Equex Centre to become only the second club to complete the hat-trick.
Kangaroos achieved the feat in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
“They stood up when it counted and they are the greatest team I’ve been involved in with bush footy and they deserve to go down as one of the greatest teams ever in Group 9,” Cale said.
5 TIGERS PREVAIL
ALBURY clinched its fourth Ovens and Murray premiership in the past six years when it held off a determined Yarrawonga by seven points at Lavington Oval.
With James McQuillan watching from the sidelines, the Tigers were forced to dig deep into their bag of tricks to reclaim the crown.
In the first time in history, Yarrawonga’s Connor Hargreaves was voted best afield in a losing side.
Albury co-coach Daniel Maher said McQuillan had been an inspiration to the Tigers.
“He defied doctor’s orders to be up here today,” Maher said.
“It’s just the sort of kid Jimmy is.
“He’s with us forever and is as much a part of this win as I am.
“I’m just so happy we were able to win for Jimmy and all the players.”
6 CUP RUNNETH OVER
BRIAN Cox choked back tears after Minnie Downs gave him his 11th Wodonga Cup.
It was his first cup without his father and long-time mentor Ollie, who passed away in August.
“Dad never missed a Wodonga Cup and it was always one of his favourite days on the calendar,” Brian said.
“He taught me everything I know about training and could be a hard taskmaster at times.
“But I wouldn’t be where I am today without him. I can’t thank him enough.”
Minnie Downs started the $4-favourite but was a conspicuous 12 lengths last 650 metres from home before motoring home to give Cox his fourth winner for the day.
7 FINE INNINGS
MORE than 1200 mourners turned out to farewell St Patrick’s cricketer Braedon Hensel.
Braedon lost his three-year battle with cancer in June with family, friends, sporting teammates and rivals paying their final respects to the young batsman.
Representatives from St Patrick’s Cricket Club and Thurgoona, Albury and Culcairn football clubs formed a guard of honour at the end of the service.
8 BIG AS TEXAS
WODONGA young gun Zach Murray underlined his enormous potential by making the final 16 in the US Junior Amateur Championships in Texas.
The field included several players who had competed in the US Open a month earlier.
After being three down against US-based second seed Sam Horsfield with five holes to play, Murray scorched back into contention to take the matchplay clash to the 18th hole. Murray needed to birdie but his 15-foot putt lipped the cup and he was knocked out of the tournament.
“I tried my heart out,” Murray said.
9 LINGERING LONGER
ONLY months after leading the Ovens and Murray to a 125-point victory against the Hampden league, Yarrawonga appointed sharpshooter Brendan Fevola as co-coach with Drew Barnes for next season.
Fevola had been widely tipped to move on after three stunning seasons with the Pigeons.
“Yarra has given me so much. I love the place,” Fevola said.
“I never wanted to leave Yarra, but I also wanted to be a coach.
“I could have gone but it just wouldn’t have felt right.
“My heart is in Yarra and it’s time to repay the faith.”
10 GOLDEN GIRLS
BORDER athletes Belinda Hocking and Jodi Elkington won gold medals within hours of each other at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Wangaratta’s Hocking came from last to blitz the finish of the 200-metre backstroke while
Wodonga’s Elkington produced three personal bests to take gold and the No.1 world ranking in the para-sport long jump.
Elkington’s first track and field coach Greg Simpson said hard work had transformed Elkington from swimmer to track and field star.
“Jodi wasn’t the most gifted athlete but she pushed herself to become a high achiever,” he said.
“Before the nationals that led to her Games, she could have tackled either the sprints or the long jump.
“After after a break following London, she decided to focus on the long jump.
“It was no overnight success, she worked hard and deserves every bit of that gold medal.”
