Alfred, Lord Tennyson once wrote that spring is when a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love. Sorry Alfie, but you got it wrong – terribly wrong.
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Spring is when a young man’s fancy turns heavily to thoughts of footy, be it the AFL or NRL or even rugby union, especially if you happen to be a long-suffering Wallabies fan.
And don’t forget the girls – even if some of them are just going along to check out the male talent on display.
No doubt the folk in the metropolitan regions are gearing themselves up to gorge on the feast of AFL and NRL finals series that will be on the tube.
Especially supporters of the Richmond Tigers, who are certainties to win this year’s AFL flag. And from the same neck of the woods, the Melbourne Storm are in the same boat.
But you have to feel sorry for the city slickers. They miss out on one of the true pleasures of life – country footy. Especially of the Aussie Rules variety.
Apart from the obvious league – the Ovens and Murray – there is a host of other leagues to pick from. And even then, the result of the O&M might not be a done deal, with Albury a chance to come under more pressure than many would have thought. There’s also the Hume League, the Tallangatta League, the Upper Murray League and probably a few I have missed.
The biggest problem seems to be able to juggle arrangements so you get to see at least one finals match in each league.
It just wouldn’t be the same if I wasn’t able to get out to Walbundrie for at least one of the Hume League finals.
And this year, I hope to get to see Thurgoona in the Tallangatta League grand final, watching some of my old mates from the Albury Tigers running around and a couple of family friends.
So, it could be farewell Walbundrie and hello Sandy Creek.
But there is one fixture I won’t be missing. And that is the grand finals of the Upper Murray League – even if they are being played at bloody Corrryong.
It’s not just because the D-Mac is playing in the reserves premiership decider for Bullioh and is on the committee of the Bulldogs.
And even if it is his last game for the club because he has promised his mother and I he would return to playing rugby union once he won a premiership up the mountains.
And the Lioness is not going to let him off on a technicality such as he meant if he won a first grade premiership.
The kid broke our hearts when he told us he was going to give the Steamers the flick and go to Bullioh to play alongside a couple of mates. Bullybloodywhere, we asked.
Well we soon found out, and I have to say if the D-Mac wasn’t playing for the Steamers, Bullioh would be my next choice.
They are just a grouse bunch of people and have made my wife and myself feel very welcome.
And like any country football club, there are plenty of characters around to add a bit of colour.
But the Upper Murray League has something I have not seen replicated in any other league.
And that is the magnificent scenery that you drive through, not the least of which is the magnificent sight of Lake Hume at near-full capacity. Along with the fascinating history of the area.
So, over the next few weeks, forget about having a few frothies on the couch while watching the AFL or NRL, and get out among it in the bush leagues. Trust me, you’ll be hooked.