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YARROWEYAHCurrent Affiliation: Picola and District Football League (PDFL) since 1956 Formed: 1955 Colours: Green and gold Emblem: 'Hoppers (grasshoppers) Senior PDFL Premierships: 1963, 1970, 1972, 1980, 1985, 1988 (6 total) A Yarroweyah Football Club competed in the Murray Border Football Association between 1893 and 1901, and football was certainly being played in the town prior to that, but the current club of that name was not born until 1955, commencing in the Picola and District Football League - the competition it still calls home to this day - the following year. Not surprisingly, the 'Hoppers struggled initially, but did manage a couple of wins towards the end of their debut season. However, as often seems to happen with new teams, they found their second year even tougher than their first, and finished dead set last without a single win. After that, there was slow but steady improvement. Yarroweyah contested the finals for the first time in 1962, and claimed a first ever premiership the next year. Second after the home and away rounds they lost the 2nd semi final to Barooga by 24 points, but recovered well to defeat Wunghnu by an identical margin in the preliminary final, and then achieved revenge over Barooga in the 'big one' by two straight kicks. Yarroweyah's second eighteen also went top in 1963, making it a memorable year all round. The 'Hoppers again made it through to the senior grand final in 1964, but lost to Wunghnu by a couple of points. They were now well past the Cinderella stage, but despite almost annual finals appearances, including losing grand finals in 1968 and 1969, there were no further premierships during the 1960s. In 1970, Yarroweyah topped the ladder heading into the finals, but were then beaten in the 2nd semi final by Wunghnu, 12.11 (83) to 10.11 (71). Picola in the preliminary final provided dogged opposition, but Yarroweyah held on to win narrowly and set up a return tussle with the Magpies. Kicking with the aid of a strong breeze the 'Hoppers opened up a substantial 1st term lead of almost 8 goals, and although Wunghnu fought back determinedly in the 2nd term, by three quarter time Yarroweyah was still 6 goals to the good, and the wind had slackened appreciably. The final term was evenly contested, with the result that the 'Hoppers were comfortably able to keep their noses in front and secure victory in the end by 33 points, 23.9 (147) to 17.12 (114). As in 1963 there was double cause for celebration as Yarroweyah's seconds team also triumphed. If the premierships have not exactly come thick and fast since 1970, they have nevertheless arrived with reassuring regularity, at a rate roughly equivalent to one per decade. In 1972, Yarroweyah trounced Blighty in the grand final by 63 points. Wunghnu were the victims in 1980, by a 34 point margin, while five years later Deniliquin Rovers succumbed by more than 6 goals after having comfortably won the 2nd semi final encounter between the sides. Yarroweyah's most recent senior premiership was won in 1988, in most impressive style, thanks to a resounding 22.18 (150) to 7.14 (56) grand final demolition of Katunga. The 'Hoppers have endured a mixed time since then, but over the past few seasons there have been suggestions that a return to past glories may be imminent. Where now? or |