HOWLONG'S Wayne Daly has been remembered as one of the township's finest all-round sportsmen.
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Daly, who passed away earlier this week aged 68, was a formidable footballer, cricketer and squash player before turning to bowls.
"Everything he touched he was good at," long-time friend, teammate and work colleague Ian 'Ribs' Doolan said.
"It started with football, cricket and squash and then he got into bowls.
"He was a bit of a natural at everything.
"Howlong's had some good sportspeople over the years and I reckon Wayne is one of the best in regards to covering all the sports.
"We had some great times over the years."
Daly's brother-in-law Terry O'Halloran said his 1977 Howlong premiership teammate had a knack of making younger players in the side walk taller.
"He was as tough as nails," O'Halloran said.
"I was a little fella playing with him and, if someone gave you a biff under the ear, he would run 100 metres and go crack.
"He looked after the little blokes.
"He always got the hard ball.
"If there was a blue on, he would be in it.
"He was a very good inside player, never an outside player.
"That's my memory of how he always played."
Daly, who was vice-captain of Howlong's 1977 premiership team under Ivan Bennie, went on to coach the Spiders for a season.
He captained Albury juniors to a flag in 1964 and played senior football with Albury and Rutherglen.
Daly also received an invitation to try out with Richmond.
After Daly's football and cricket days drew to a close, he turned to bowls and became one of Howlong's leading players.
His highlight was playing in the club's grade five pennant side which won a state championship in 1987.
Daly and his 15 teammates were later inducted into the Albury and District Bowling Association's Hall of Fame.
"Wayne was one of our four skips and played a big part in us winning the state title," Doolan said.
Daly also took out two club singles championships at Howlong, five pairs titles and a mixed pairs title with his wife, Kate.
Daly is survived by his wife, Kate, sons Shaun and Luke and extended family members.
Shaun stepped down as Albury's coach at the end of last season after leading the Tigers to two Ovens and Murray flags while Luke is a former long-time Howlong Cricket Club captain.
Daly's funeral will be held at St Thomas' Anglican Church in Howlong from 10.30am on Friday.