Yarrawonga lost its first premiership coach in Bill Stephen on Sunday.
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The former Fitzroy and Victorian star led the Pigeons to a thrilling eight-point win over Wangaratta Rovers in 1959 - 30 years after joining the O and M.
"He meant everything, the club had made a couple of grand finals and was desperate to win," team-mate Basil Sheridan said from his Lavington home.
Yarrawonga lost to Albury (1937), Wangaratta (1938) and Albury (1940).
A two-time best and fairest with Fitzroy in the VFL, Stephen played 14 State games in the back pocket.
He captain-coached the Lions for the last three years before joining Yarrawonga as coach in 1958.
"He came with a hell of a reputation and was a fitness fanatic, the pool at 'Yarra' was in the lake (Mulwala) and he'd swim for hours," club stalwart Glenn Brear said.
"He was terrific for 'Yarra' and like all captain-coaches then he was a very good player who would go on the ball and give the team a lift when needed."
And even though the Pigeons had toppled Rovers in both the final regular season game and second semi, Yarrawonga certainly needed a lift as the Hawks, which won the 1958 flag under Collingwood legend Bob Rose, grabbed the ascendancy.
"It looked at one stage as though they were going to run away from us and then we came back and got in front and then they regained the lead, I think the lead changed seven times, but Bill was best on ground," Sheridan said.
It was regarded as the best O and M grand final to that point.
"I remember the players being carried off on the shoulders (of fans)," Sheridan said.
Stephen spent seven seasons with the Pigeons, including the last in 1964 as non-playing coach.
It was often said, at the elite level, that he was too 'nice' to succeed as a coach.
"He never abused or bad-mouthed anyone, he knew each player, he spoke to them nice and gentle and everyone respected him for that," Sheridan said.
"He was (a father figure) and not only to the footballers, but for other young kids, there were a couple of wild boys and he took them aside and they turned out good fellows."
Stephen coached Fitzroy in 1965 and had another stint with the Lions - who he actually penned the theme song for while on a bus trip - and he also coached Essendon.
But he always loved Yarrawonga.
"He'd be talking to someone and he'd spot you walking past and he'd rough up your hair and say, 'here's another one of my boys', he called us, 'his boys'," Sheridan said.
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Sadly, the leader of those 'boys' has passed.
Bill Stephen is survived by his wife Betty. He was 92.
