Colbinabbin football

Alex ‘Dutch’ van Ruiswyk plays his 150th senior game for the club, while Stephen ‘Tugboat’ Tuohey and Hugh ‘Bevo’ Barlow will take the field in their 100th game.

Van Ruiswyk has been with Colbo for 10 years, travelling out from Bendigo and becoming a staple and steady member of the senior side. The athletic King Island wingman is one of the most feared players across the league and has been integral to the sustained success of the club across his journey through his extensive commitment to the betterment of the side.

He is one of the most hard-working players on and off the field and the club has been able to hold a period of success due to the constant support and investment from players like Dutch.

While it has been well documented that Tuohey has a Rushworth residential postcode, he is nonetheless certainly one of Colbo’s most treasured members and valued citizens. One of the most honest and hard-working players to ever pull on the green-and-gold, Tug has proven his worth time and time again by being a constant pillar in the senior side with his willingness to win every contest. Aside from personal accolades and courageous qualities, his work off the field as football director and reserves coach exemplifies his determination to help all those around him.

Barlow is a man who has the rare quality of having a reputation that precedes him. He is fast becoming one of the most electric forwards in the competition and his improvement over the course of his 100 games has been nothing short of phenomenal.

He is easily everyone’s favourite player and has the exceptional ability to turn a game on its head with his speed and ferocity at the contest. Barlow is a very vibrant and active club and community member and is certainly a future leader in helping the football department and senior side continue succeeding in the future.

Seniors

Colbinabbin travelled over to Gunbower to resurrect some good form and find that elusive four-quarter performance. With a few late changes and shuffling around, the selected 22 boasted a strong line-up.

Leitchville-Gunbower started very well, as the narrative of slow starts continued on for Colbo.

The Bombers took a slender lead into quarter-time before a spirited fightback from Colbo in the second, led by the Brain boys and the returning Milkman Hardiman, put Colbo in front by a solitary point at the main break.

Jed, Lil Wayne and Bully led the way in the second half as the Colbo boys found their defensive mojo again to suffocate the Bombers’ forward advances and edge ahead with some scoreboard pressure. The final quarter painted a similar picture, and Barto continued his great run of form even under light of some pressure from every angle.

Colbinabbin ran out a 40-point winner. Major goal scorers were Stuart (four), Jed’s brother (three), James’ brother (three), Tugboat and Batman (two). Better players for the day were Brainboiz, the Mildura Express, Battista bomb, Circles Junior, the umpire’s favourite and Coach Carter.

Final score: Colbinabbin 18.10 (118) defeated Leitchville-Gunbower 12.6 (72)

Reserves

It was an amazing day at Gunbower for the Colbinabbin Grasshoppers. The game started off very quick, going the Hoppers’ way with the likes of Jo Barlow and Charlie Ryan grinding from the middle and backline.

After half-time, efforts from Marcus Mangiamelli helped contribute to more scoreboard pressure across the field.

Final score: Colbinabbin 13.17 (95) defeated Leitchville-Gunbower 1.1 (7)

Under-18s

After a promising first half which had Colbinabbin three goals up at the main break, the Grasshoppers dropped off the perch. The side’s intensity at the footy and skills fell away and let a fast-finishing Leitchville-Gunbower run over it, especially in the last quarter.

Better players were Jude Ryan, Toby Howlett, Matt Caton, Will Pinniger, Jasper McArdle and Noah Martin.

Final score: Colbinabbin 3.6 (24) lost to Leitchville-Gunbower 5.3 (33)