NEERIM-NEERIM SOUTH
Current Affiliation: Ellinbank and District Football League (EDFL) since 1954
Formed: 1954, when the Neerim and Neerim South Football Clubs merged
Colours: Navy blue and white
Emblem: Cats
Senior EDFL Premierships: 1962, 1964, 1966, 1978, 1982, 1998-9 (7 total)
EDFL Club Championships: 1999 (1 total)
Senior EDFL Best and Fairest Player Awards: Alan Adams 1955; Tom Goodwin 1960; Noel Mason 1970; Peter Fusinato 1989; Paul Whelan 1998 (5 total)
Former Neerim District Football Association clubs Neerim and Neerim South had competed in the Ellinbank and District Football League for just a couple of seasons when they decided that their future would be more viable if they merged. It took a while for the chemistry to develop, but within a decade the Cats had emerged as a genuine force. They contested their first grand final in 1959, but lost by 16 points to Nilma Lillico. Another grand final loss, this at the hands of Warragul Industrials, followed in 1960, but when the Cats next reached the grand final in 1962 it was a case of third time lucky as they triumphed over their conquerors of two seasons earlier.
Following their breakthrough success the Cats quickly added further flags in 1964, at the expense of Warragul Industrials once more, and 1966, when they restricted grand final opponents Hallora-Strzelecki to a paltry 2.7 (19) in easily winning by 50 points.
The next two decades both yielded a single premiership, while the 1990s saw the only back to back successes in the club's history. Recent seasons have been disappointing. The Cats last contested the finals in 2002, and although they have managed to avoid succumbing to the wooden spoon they have come uncomfortably close on a couple of occasions. The other grades have also tended to struggle, with only the fifths, in 2002 and 2006, getting as far as the grand final since the turn of the century.
Where now?
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