The smallest crowd in many years saw Cobden defeat Port Fairy at Cobden last Saturday.
I wasn't expecting many Seagull supporters to turn up, but the lack of support for the home team was very noticeable.
I myself couldn't get there quick enough as the eldest of our four sons, Ben, played his first senior Hampden league game, a proud moment for the Murrihy family.
To play your first senior game was once a big occasion, but that tradition seems to have sadly passed us by.
Tricky wind conditions made scoring goals at the Colac end of the ground quite difficult. If you have ever been to a game of footy at Cobden you would know it's always windy and blows to the right-hand end pocket watching from the interchange bench side.
Many players from both sides had set shots but didn't even come close, which makes for a very frustrating spectacle. It would be a good ground if it was realigned.
Sam McCartney and Cameron Brown were terrific players all day. Isaac Martin was Mickey Sheehan-like with his tackling and dash, but shows a little less courage, which is a good thing because Mickey has too much. James Vickers in the ruck had the massive task of following big man Levi Dare all day. James will be the first to admit he got towelled up, but it was a great learning experience for him in just his second year of senior footy compared to Levi's many, many years.
This week we face flag favourites Camperdown at home in another big test for our young side. It doesn't get any easier as they will be on the rebound after a shock loss last weekend.
Cobden 15.17 (107) defeated Port Fairy 3.11 (29)
Goals: Sam Dwyer 2, Trent Anderson 1.
Best: Cameron Brown, Samuel McCartney, Lachlan Young, Ben Murrihy, Isaac Martin, Sam Dwyer
A big crowd is expected at the netball courts this Saturday as Nicole Dwyer plays game 250 for Port Fairy and automatically becomes a life member of the Hampden league, an honour husband Dean already holds. They will become only the third husband and wife life members of the league.
Nicole would be, and still is, the most competitive sportsperson our club/town has ever seen, whether it be on a netball court or rowing a surf boat which she has taken up over the past few years. She always gives 100 per cent and hates losing. She plays the game hard but fair, the hardness from her dad, Anthony, and her many games as a junior playing for Monivae College and Bessibelle.
Nicole deserves every accolade that comes her way leading into the weekend milestone game, so every netballer who has had anything to do with Nicole's career should get along and support her in game 250.
And, by the way, she will spend Sunday representing the Hampden league in the Loud Championships in Melbourne again.
Finally, the footballers are trying to raise funds to purchase some better gym equipment. They have a fully signed 2012 Geelong footy jumper up for auction, so call into the butchers to lodge your interest.