Weekly Times | THERE could hardly have been a bigger stage for Brad Vallance to deliver Ouyen United a win.
The Demons played arch rival Walpeup-Underbool for what will be the last time before the Mallee Football League is wound up at the end of this season.
The Demons ended a seven-game losing streak with a thrilling three-point win against the Kangaroos yesterday at Ouyen Recreation Reserve, 11.7 (73) to 10.10 (70).
The two clubs are currently working on a merger to move to the Sunraysia league. To coincide with the match, former players from the clubs that have merged to become the current entities packed into the ground to celebrate a reunion and mark another upcoming, momentous change. The celebration’s highlight was a helicopter landing on the ground at the start of the match to deliver a special medallion for the toss.
Ouyen United held a 25-point half-time advantage, but Walpeup-Underbool closed to nine points at three-quarter time, and briefly stole the lead in the final term.
Both sides had lost players through to injuries, and the Demons played a man down after Henry Armour was yellow-carded just before three-quarter time.
But Vallance’s second goal for the match put the Demons back in front, and his third gave them an insurmountable lead.
“It was obviously a big occasion, having all the past players that have played here over the last 20, 30, 40 years here watching,” Vallance said.
“It was good to put on a good performance and a close game and to win it was even more special.”
The Demons have a bye on Saturday, and three home-and-away matches remaining.
