Goulburn Valley League inducts six new members into Hall of Fame

From a player who began his football journey at age 21 and went on to play a staggering 400 senior games, to the league’s maiden dual Morrison Medal winner, the latest crop of members have well and truly earned their place among the famous names of Cooper, Orrman and McMahon.

Kyabram stalwart Lawrie Casey was the first of the half-dozen to be inducted, followed by Katandra product and Shepparton Swans life member Wayne Ford.

Eric James, who became the first player to win two Morrisons and is described as the most talented rover to have graced the GVL, was the next to be inducted and his son Raymond was in attendance to receive the award on his late father’s behalf.

Seymour champion Mick O’Donnell, a multiple premiership player and 314-game gun, was the fourth player to be inducted.

One of Mooroopna’s revered figures, Jeff Vandermeer, a four-time club best-and-fairest winner, was followed by final inductee and Euroa legend Scott Watson.

Sunday night’s event was the first to be held since 2019 and the latest Hall of Fame recipients were scheduled to be inducted at last year’s cancelled ceremony.

No inductee was elevated to Legend status.

Watson, who captained Euroa for 13 years and has been club president for more than a decade, spoke about his involvement at the Magpies.

A late starter to football — his first kick of the Sherrin came in his early 20s after he arrived from Melbourne for work — Watson has been entrenched at Euroa for the past three decades.

“Yes I have (enjoyed being involved) ... we only get an opportunity to pass through footy and netball clubs and it might be for 20-30 years if you’re lucky,” Watson said.

“I am well aware of the history of the Euroa FNC, we’ve been going since 1880.

“There’s a stack of history before me and there will be a stack of history after me and if I can contribute in a positive way that’s what I’m aiming to do.”

One constant message relayed by the five inductees who were in attendance was being able to play with friends, represent the GVL and play at the highest standard they could.

For Vandermeer, who donned the white and blue hoops more than 300 times, he has cherished his involvement at the Cats.

“I started in 1986 as a grade six and a lot like what the other guys have said you come through and play with your mates,” Vandermeer said.

“I got a job through a footy club, we’ve made so many friends and it just becomes a large part of your life.

“We weren’t that successful in the late ’90s and early 2000s, but those wins that we had, we may have only won two or three games a year, but you still remember because they were lean times.

“I would say the 1994 Country Championship win for the GVL (was one of the most memorable moments). I was only 21 and I was pinching myself because I got to play with so many great players of the GVL.”

Meanwhile, the GVL revealed on the night it had introduced a new Roll of Honour for coaches who have represented the league at representative level.

The list of coaches stretches back to 1957 and includes names such as Tom Hafey and Paul Newman.

The league said it would include netball mentors as well.