Dederang-Mount Beauty (DMB) has taken massive strides to become a force in the Tallangatta league once again.
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The club was almost on its knees, finishing last year with just one senior win and the wooden spoon.
But the turnaround has been significant.
A number of former juniors have returned to the club and it has translated to on-field success, with four wins coming from their first six games in 2018.
Club president Larissa Kernaghan has been delighted with the progress.
“You can’t expect a lot in such a short amount of time, but this is my second year as president and the first year we made some plans which I think have been quite well executed so far,” she said.
“Things can only get better now.”
The club will celebrate Dederang’s 1958 premiership and its past player’s day during Saturday’s clash against Mitta United.
A replica of the 1958 green and white strip will be worn by the players on the weekend, with some to be auctioned off after the game.
“It’s good to get people back to the club and show the club in a positive light,” Kernaghan said.
“We’ve been struggling for so long with volunteers, players and on the board, so it’s a good opportunity for us.”
This is my second year as president and the first year we made some plans which I think have been quite well executed so far.
- DMB president Larissa Kernaghan
Among the returning names to the Bombers’ senior line-up this season are Patrick Stow, Liam Hood, Jaydn Chalmers, Charlie Ryder and Jacob Ozolins.
Stow has come back from Wodonga, while Hood, whose father was a former president, was most recently at Lavington.
Chalmers played juniors at the club, while his father also represented the Bombers at senior level.
Ryder’s mother, father and uncles have all played for DMB.
Meanwhile, Ozolins’ grandfather was a president of the club and his uncle, Stephen Ozolins, is the club’s newest life member.
“His father, mother and auntie are Dederang through and through, so it’s nice to have all them all being honoured on the day,” Kernaghan said.
The 1958 Dederang premiership side was: C. Hobbs, K. Hobbs, B. Bird, L. Rooney, E. Doubleday, J. Hobbs, R, Hobbs, C. Smith, W. Sealy, N. Carson (vice-captain), A. O’Keefe, N. Coulston, D. Cooper, J. Holloway, P. Northey, E. Barton, J. Bishop, A. Deane (captain-coach), K. Hertzog, N. Seymour.
Kernaghan hopes to have involvement from some of the 1958 premiership players to present guernseys to the senior side on the day.
Beau Greenway
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
I like to tell the stories of great people in our communities. Email: beau.greenway@austcommunitymedia.com.au
