Popularly known as ’Crezza’, the 53-year-old, 2022 Sydney Hall of Famer’s appointment was announced last Friday night at Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club’s 2024 presentation dinner at Club Corowa.
Loud applause from the 200-strong crowd followed the announcement by club board member Dean Druce.
Cresswell coached Queensland’s South Cairns Cutters to a premiership this year, ending a 21-year drought (see separate story about the appointment).
This year’s senior netball best and fairest winner Sally Hunter will coach the senior team in 2025.
She was lured to the Roos by close friend, the much decorated, multi best and fairest winner including three O and M league Toni Wilson Medals and state league, Sophie Hanrahan, whom she pipped 86 votes to 81 this year.
“Sally’s been an absolute rock for me and has fitted in so well with everyone in the club and community. She will coach next year,” Sophie advised in her long, grateful and well-received speech, which included appreciation to former super coach Georgie Bruce for her guidance.
Sally said she was so pleased to be part of the club and community, thanked everyone involved and looks forward to season 2025.
Loud applause followed for both stars. “You two are an absolutely phenomenal team,” club Life Member, secretary/treasurer and netball stalwart Rowena Black said.
“They’ve had amazing years. Getting us back on the ground was Sophie’s priority,” Rowena said. Even louder applause, and a standing ovation was given to Sophie and Rowena for not only getting the club back on the netball courts, but reaching and performing well in the finals after no senior netball or football in 2023 due to the devastating flood waters at John Foord Oval and lack of senior players.
Special mention was made of football manager and radio man Gus MacLeod. “Without Gus, we wouldn’t have had a side in round one,” football coach Steve Owen, said.
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club President Graham Hosier welcomed everyone at the presentation dinner and thanked all the club’s major sponsors, coaches, volunteers and supporters.
“Last year was most difficult,” he said. “I thank the board for all the hard work over the last 24 months. We had our doubters if we’d return but all the hard work has been worth it. It’s wonderful seeing you all here tonight. Our club does mean a lot for our community.”
Ryan Eyers, 21, won the seniors best and fairest, with 90 votes, from boom recruit Darcy Hope 56 votes and Brady Morton on 46. The mobile, high flying Hope delighted spectators this season and has further delighted fans with his commitment to the Roos for next season.
Ryan, who had a consistent, standout season in defence and ruck, said it was an absolute honour playing with the Roos. The selfless winner thanked everyone involved in getting the club back from where it was.
“Thank you to all the coaches and volunteers. You put something back where there’s no text book on how to go about it,” he included in his speech. “To netball, congratulations on a great year.”
Corowa legend Darrell (Dash) Spencer presented Ryan with the Jim Sandral Medal for best and fairest and said he knows Jim (who passed away earlier this year) would be super proud of the recipient. “Ryan’s a fantastic kid from a fantastic family,” O and M Hall of Famer Dash said.
It was performances and contributions like the Eyers family on and off the field which led to Corowa Rutherglen being back in the strong O and M league.
Efforts on it, like football captain Joe Hansen (“is what this club stands for” spoken by Mr Hosier) and plenty of others including that of senior team manager Trent White were acknowledged and celebrated last Friday night. Rousing applause was given to the president on his performance.
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