Roos’ senior players together in a huddle at John Foord Oval and bonded in Melbourne last Saturday for a training session ahead of this Saturday’s away game at Myrtleford.
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club made full use of its bye round last Saturday with the senior footballers training at Blackburn Football Club.
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Last Saturday’s 10.00am to 12.30pm training session involved the metropolitan-based Roos and Corowa-based locals, except for Tom Forrest and Jedd Longmire who played for Bushrangers and VFL Collingwood respectively.
“It’s fantastic for them to get that opportunity,” coach Steve Owen told The Free Press. “Our training session in Melbourne was really good, to have the players train together.”
The Roos’ next game is against the also winless in season 2024 Myrtleford at McNamara Reserve this Saturday, May 11.
“Both sides are going in still looking for their first win this season. Both sides have played good patches of footy. It’s a matter of who can produce those good patches for longer,” Owen said.
“It’s a very good opportunity to get the four points and I urge our supporters to get along and see a good game.”
Corowa Rutherglen has a full list to choose from. “It’s a matter of working out our 22,” the coach said.
The Roos would love to follow up their last win, on July 16, 2022, beating Wodonga Raiders by one point at Birallee Park, 12.10.82 to 12.9.81 when Kaelan Bradtke kicked four goals.
The last time the Roos won at home was on June 11, 2022, with a big, 54 points win against North Albury, 14.8.92 to 5.8.38.
In netball, the senior A Grade team is flying and go into this Saturday’s game undefeated after five rounds.
The side is so well led by Sophie Hanrahan who will be emotionally charged for the clash against Myrtleford which will be her 150th game for Corowa.
The co-reigning Ovens and Murray Toni Wilson Medallist played last season for Myrtleford with the Roos missing season 2023, a season in which Soph played her 150th O and M game, with the Saints.
Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club secretary/treasurer Rowena Black has been selected for AFL’s inaugural Lead Your Way program for 2024.
Lead Your Way is a new initiative aiming to bridge the gap in female leaders. She is one of just four women selected from the O and M. Rowena will join Wendy Lester and Bronwyn McGorlick from Wangaratta Rovers and Ellyn O’Brien - Wangaratta Magpies. Some 50 women throughout Victoria have been chosen.
Leading the way! Roos’ senior coach, reigning O and M Toni Wilson Medallist Sophie Hanrahan leads from the front and has her team unbeaten after five rounds of season 2024. Sophie will play her 150th game for Corowa Rutherglen this Saturday against Myrtleford.
A statement from the O and M includes: “Congratulations to our outstanding AFL Northeast Border applicants! We’re thrilled to introduce the successful applicants for AFL Victoria’s inaugural Lead Your Way Program from our region.
“The program is aimed at women and gender-diverse people in community football leadership space to level up their skills and network in 2024!
“We wish each of them the very best on this exciting journey as we are sure that they'll make most of this incredible opportunity!”
Club president Graham Hosier described Rowena as “fantastic”. “The amount of work she does is just invaluable, with her club secretary, treasurer, running the club – she’s wearing three hats,” the president said.
Commenting on Rowena’s selection on the Lead Your Way program, Mr Hosier said her selection was “thoroughly deserving”. “Rowena came on the committee as treasurer and as we had no-one as secretary, she took that on too.”
Mr Hosier said it was great having football and netball back at John Foord Oval.
“The crowds have been good, and the support proves that football and netball are needed at John Foord Oval.”
Mr Hosier said the return to the Ovens and Murray league after a season off was always going to be difficult.
“But the board is buoyed by the crowds. We acknowledge the journey we’re on but there are good functions coming up and we’ve started planning for 2025,” he said.
“We’re thrilled the way our netball’s going and our footballers are being competitive and giving their all. The league is happy to have us back.”
Functions include a Sponsors’ Day luncheon on Saturday, May 18 at home against Wangaratta and a Black Tie Ball at Club Corowa on Saturday, July 13.
A eleven member John Foord Oval Committee has been approved with Federation Council representation, headed by Mayor Pat Bourke.
The advisory committee will consider and explore how a new facility can be fully funded, including available grants and other opportunities that may arise.
“It’s good to have the committee formed. It has a range of junior and senior organisations represented (as detailed in last week’s edition of The Free Press),” Mr Hosier said.
“The first meeting will be early June. We need to work out a program of action. By the end of the year, we hope to know a lot more regarding facilities and further improve our situation.”
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