Jason Akermanis has the ball and about to line up for goal, with teammate Harley Bennell close by.
Last Saturday’s football match at Wahgunyah when the Lions took on the Thurgoona Bulldogs was a month in the making, with player permit times expiring this Friday, June 30.
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“We’ve been working on this game for a while – for about a month,” senior playing coach Chris Willis told The Free Press.
“It’s pretty exciting – we have seven big ins.” Heading the list of big names was AFL’s 2001 Brownlow Medallist Jason Akermanis who played in three premierships with the Brisbane Lions, played an overall 325 games with the Lions and the Western Bulldogs, and booted 421 goals.
Former Lion and Gold Coast player of 173 games, 36-year-old Jared Brennan, former Demon and Gold Coast, now Wodonga Raiders Harley Bennell, 30, Ned Harvey and Jacob Bartlett from Yarrawonga, Henty’s Beau Connell and Lachie Conboy from Rennie all donned the Wahgunyah jumper. All made their presence felt. In particular, Brennan was brilliant with his long-raking left-footers and Bennell turned it on with four majors and setting up others.
There’s a lot of history here – Wahgunyah’s past players with last Saturday’s senior teams.
Wahgunyah has been struggling with player numbers and wins. That’s no secret, with the last victory coming two years ago. But the idea with last Saturday’s match was to get people through the gates to see that the club is trying hard to get people to the club and show their support for a proud club which has seven premierships: 1948, 1949, 1968, 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2004.
Kicking with the aid of the wind in the first quarter, the Lions kicked accurately to lead 5.0.30 to 4.4.28 at the first change, eventually going down 14.14.98 to 11.4.70, a margin of 28 points. That first goal, by Harley Bennell, produced a huge roar from players and the crowd.
Wahgunyah coach Chris Willis addressing the senior team at half time, encouraging his players to “play attacking football, run and carry with the ball - it looks good, no dumb kicks and we’re in the game” were among the words of advice.
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Harley Bennell booted the Lions first goal within five minutes of the start and slotted a further three.
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Jason Akermanis kicks a goal in the third quarter and booted another in the same quarter to end up with two goals.
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At quarter time, it was the Lions 5.0.30 leading the Bulldogs 4.4.28 and Wahgunyah’s coach Chris Willis wanted more of the style that saw the Lions leading.
Wahgunyah Football Netball Club’s overall first goal was achieved – a big crowd. “It was three times the size of a crowd we normally get. There would have been about a thousand there,” club president Darryl Hore, who has been associated with the club for the last 15 years including six as president, said.
“It’s the biggest crowd in my time. The players we brought in were absolutely brilliant on and off the field. There were tears in the clubrooms after the game. None of the players we brought took a backward step when our fans approached them for photos or autographs. And our local boys all played well – they stepped up.”
The president also praised the unfortunate players who missed out on selection. “Some guys missed out but those guys were spectacular – understanding what we were on about and still being at the game, urging the side on,” Mr Hore said.
“Our club felt for Matty Holten who has an ankle injury and missed out on the game. And co-coach Michael Kruen couldn’t attend with a Melbourne commitment – he kept us together last season.”
Thanks were also expressed by Mr Hore in respect of the Thurgoona Bulldogs. “They were brilliant,” he said. “The comments they made after the game were sincere, heartfelt.”
Wahgunyah Under 12’s coach Dan Bonnitcha and Jason Akermanis with the Under 12s after their match. Akermanis presented the awards.
Akermanis, 46, flew down from Brisbane on the morning of the match and was driven to the Wahgunyah Recreation Reserve by well credentialled Lions coach Willis. The brilliant, explosive Brisbane resident forward was met by The Free Press on arrival.
“I’m happy to help out,” the hired gun footballer who was a first-timer at the venue, said. “I’m happy to help out a struggling club. I love the game.”
This was his fifth game this season, having played with Gladstone, Werrimul, Warracknabeal and, two weeks ago, with South Mornington.
A trademark of the former AFL star was his handstand when the final siren went to end a game. “I still do the handstand and will do it today,” he promised.
The recruits Jason Akermanis, Jared Brennan, Harley Bennell, Coach Chris Willis, Lachie Conboy, Ned Harvey, Jacob Bartlett. Absent Beau Connell.
“I keep fit, play basketball, golf (with his current 3.5 handicap and is a member at Howlong) and do a lot of personal fitness work. I feel good.”
The best footballer he ever saw in his time was North Melbourne great Wayne Carey. Although Akermanis couldn’t name his toughest opponent, he couldn’t name one but said he didn’t appreciate St Kilda’s close checking Steven Baker whose tactics resulted in suspensions against players including Yarrawonga’s current coach, triple Geelong premiership star Steve Johnson.
“My best game was in 2005 when I had 35 touches and kicked five goals against Geelong at the Gabba.”
Akermanis was introduced to Wahgunyah’s Under 12s after their game and presented the player awards. The Brownlow Medallist urged the youngsters to work hard at football, develop their skills and run to the right spots on the field.
Senior A Grade netball coach Lauren Connell described last Saturday as “a great atmosphere”. “It was awesome and it’s a thrill for the boys to have a Brownlow Medallist in Aker,” she said.
Senior netball coach Lauren Connell with her team last Saturday.
Wahgunyah Football Netball Club is trying to be competitive and appreciated the big crowd last Saturday. “We thank everyone who came to the ground. We want everyone to know we’re trying hard to keep this great club going,” the president said.
“We have a bye this weekend and we know the rest of the season will be tough. But we’ll keep trying.”
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