Wodonga Saints and Dederang-Mount Beauty have formed a fierce rivalry in recent seasons as they’ve battled to climb their way up the Tallangatta league ladder.
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Both clubs will come together on Saturday for the annual Black Dog round at Martin Park.
The aim of the round is to raise awareness and funds for the Black Dog Institute to reduce the incidence of mental illness and the stigma around it.
Its ultimate goal is to actively reduce suicide rates and empower everyone to live mentally healthy lives.
The Black Dog trophies will be up for grabs on the field and the netball court during the day.
Footballers will be wearing orange and black socks, while the netballers will don orange and black ribbons to show their support.
Dale Skinner, an ambassador of the Black Dog Institute will give a talk around mental health following the game, while a number of items will be auctioned off on the night, with funds raised going to the Black Dog Institute.
DMB reserves coach Luke Potter started the initiative with Skinner last year and hopes to see it grow.
“It all eventuated when my wife said to me last year what did I want for my 30th birthday,” Potter said.
“I said didn’t want anything to be honest, but she came up with an idea about having a fundraiser for Black Dog.
“I lost one of my work mates a couple of years ago to the ‘black dog’ and it has meant a lot to me since.
“When I advertised the fundraiser, the Tallangatta league put it on their Facebook page and Dale Skinner got in contact with me.
“Two strangers met and it is what it is today.”
Potter admitted it’s more about the partnership between the two clubs than playing for trophies.
“We’ll be out there rattling some tins and we’ll wear different coloured socks,” Potter said.
“Wodonga has got the orange and we’ve got the black.
“All the boys are putting some money in.
“We’ve pretty much got the weekend to ourselves with only one other game on.”
After claiming the wooden spoon last season, DMB has shown plenty of positive signs with five wins this year and will rightly start favourties against the Saints.
“The ones are having a good year, but we still can’t beat them in the twos,” Potter laughed.
“I haven’t really played much this year, but I’ve coached the twos for the last five years and been through hell and back with it.
In the weekend’s other game, Rutherglen can move back into the top-five with victory against Beechworth away from home.
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