Brothers finally on same field as Charley and Kelvin Wallace unite at Bullioh

Charley Wallace, a four-time Hockey Albury-Wodonga premiership player with Falcons, took the plunge this year and pulled on the boots for the reigning Upper Murray premiers.

His brother, Kelvin, was appointed co-coach before the abandoned 2020 season and thought he'd reach out to his older brother this year as a possible replacement for the Upper Murray's leading goal-kicker of 2019 in Ash Murray.

The decision proved an instant success as Charley booted seven goals on debut in a big win against Corryong.

He leads the club's goal-kicking list with nine from his two games this season.

"I got seven in the first game, so I'm a natural athlete," Charley laughed.

"I've always loved footy and always kicked the footy, but I've just never had the time because I was always playing hockey for the Spitfires in Canberra on a Saturday.

"We all started in hockey, but when you go to a country high school in Tallangatta, I would have been one of the only ones not playing footy.

"I was pretty nervous going into it, but it was good to go straight into the ones. I just hope I hold a spot."

But despite a strong start, Charley admitted it hasn't been all smooth sailing.

"I've played forward pocket and centre half-forward and each game I've had to go up to Kel and Joe (co-coach Joe Bolton) and ask them what to do," he laughed.

"It would be worrying for everyone else if I had have started when I was 12."

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Kelvin has enjoyed having Charley at the club and has really embraced the chance to coach alongside Joe Bolton and Josh Walters.

"It's a good bunch of boys. We've still got 90 per cent of the premiership team going around again and a few new faces as well," Kelvin said.

"Jesse Hampton is new and Harry Schubert is a young fella who is going alright. Todd Wallace played on the weekend and came across from Kiewa.

"It makes it easier on us if one of us can't make training or has work commitments, someone else can step in."

Kelvin and Charley's older brother, Gordon, was a premiership player for Kiewa-Sandy Creek and the co-coach has been working hard to sign him as well.

"He might be a chance to come back," Kelvin hinted.

Bullioh will start clear favourites at home to winless Federal on Saturday.

"From what we've got to come back, we'll be a fair bit stronger," Kelvin said.

Competition leader Cudgewa looks to remain unbeaten when it heads to Corryong to face the Demons, while Tumbarumba has the bye.

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