September is a month when rivalries boil over. Such was the case in the Goulburn Valley league final between two of the states most intense rivals, Echuca and Rochester, at Kyabram on Sunday.
The two clubs linked by the Campaspe River in northern Victoria have been at each others throats since day one. The Echuca Football Club was formed in 1972. Rochester was formed two years later for the express purpose of beating Echuca.
In 1951, Echuca coach Jim Clark was astounded to meet fans who had driven several hours bumpy journey from Hay on the Murrumbidgee River to see his team play Rochester. In 1962, Rochester premiership coach Noel McMahen said his greatest achievement in five years was never coaching a losing side against Echuca.
The rivalry has continued through the decades. When former St Kilda coach Ken Sheldon expressed shock at the abuse that was showered on him during his debut as Echuca coach during the opening round of the 2000 season, Rochester coach David Williams said simply that the Tigers supporters were excited after unfurling their flag.
Williams, the former Melbourne forward, this year left Rochester after 16 seasons and now coaches Kyabram. His replacement, Daniel Schmidt, guided Rochester to two comfortable over Echuca during the regular season, and his team was strongly favoured before Sundays elimination final.
The match was tough but without spite until Rochesters Steve Rasmussen was driven into the ground on the wing during the final seconds of the third quarter. During the subsequent push and shove, the umpires failed to blow time-on. The siren blew as players remonstrated, and a couple of them traded blows.
One of the great things about local footy is that supporters can wander on to the ground during breaks, usually to listen to a coachs address. But on this occasion, several dozen supporters wandered into the melee. Fans abused each other and the players until officials became worried that an all-in brawl would erupt.
Rochester president Darren Gledhill, on seeing members of his committee hurl insults Echucas way, rounded up as many Rochester supporters as possible and herded them from the ground. Echuca officials did the same. Both clubs later reported that no punches were thrown among supporters and no players were hurt.
The match proceeded in reasonable spirits in the last quarter before Rochester scored a comfortable victory, with veteran forward Anthony McPhee kicking six goals in his 409th game. The latest blow in a torrid rivalry had gone to the Tigers.
In Melbournes Eastern Football League, the rivalry between Vermont and Balwyn has no history behind it for the good reason that Balwyn is in only its second year in the competition. But it has another component of a classic rivalry: a gloried champion trying to stave off a challenger.
Vermont has won the Eastern leagues past three division-one premierships. In this seasons opening game against its most likely challenger, Balwyn, it won by 22 goals. In round 14, the Tigers turned the table to win by nine goals. Balwyn finished off the season two games clear. Confidence was high before Saturdays second semi against Vermont at Bayswater.
The further the match progressed, however, the further Vermont pulled away. Matthew Greig kicked five goals in the Eagles 10-goal victory, bringing his tally to 118, while former Richmond player Pat Bowden kicked eight for Balwyn to give him 113.
It was, however, Bowdens miss as he ran into an open goal that summed up his teams failure in one of local footys emerging rivalries.
By Paul Daffey
Article first appeared The Age, September 10th, 2008
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