The 1500 spectators who soaked up the summery heat during the Millewa Football League preliminary final on Saturday were shocked when Bambill, last years undefeated premier, fell six goals behind Euston late in the third quarter.
The Saints fought back only to fail by three points, sending them tumbling out of the finals race.
But it wasnt Bambills straight-sets exit that prompted the most chatter among fans at the Mildura Showgrounds No.3 oval; it was the Supreme Court hearing of former Millewa league president Greg Woulfe that had been completed in Mildura the previous day.
Woulfe, 38, is a larger-than-life figure in the Murray River town. Ten years ago, after accepting the presidency of the Millewa league, he guided the leagues growth from a backwater beer-drinking forum into a vibrant community competition.
One of Woulfes first changes was to transfer the league medal night from the Irymple Hotel to the Mildura Settlers Club, where an unprecedented 200 attended. Nobody in Mildura had seen a PowerPoint presentation at a footy function before Woulfe flicked the switch.
He arranged a sponsorship for a tractor that was raffled, and he generated publicity for a competition that had never had any. As well as hosting a show on a Mildura FM station, he wrote match previews and reviews and took photos for the local press.
Woulfes enthusiasm rubbed off on all who came in contact with him, not only in Mildura but around the state. In his early years as Millewa president, he educated himself in administration by attending Victorian Country Football League seminars. When lectures ended, he was the life of the party.
After one post-seminar function in Melbourne, he woke up the next morning in Ballarat but could not explain how. At a function in Geelong, he stood on a table and regaled all in his customary earthy language on the exalted status of the Millewa league.
Before last season, Woulfe stepped down as league president to return to his club Nangiloc, on Milduras southern outskirts, to lead the club back to life after a year in recession. Halfway through the season, he was called out from the house on the vineyard that he managed on a Friday night to sort out a domestic dispute.
According to reports, the dispute got out of hand. Woulfe shot a man twice before burning his body and burying it. The next day, he seemed as upbeat as usual as he went about his duties as Nangiloc president during the clubs home match against Bambill.
Woulfe was later arrested and spent 14 months in remand. Late last month, he stepped into the Mildura courtroom to face charges of murder and defensive homicide. The defence argued that the man he shot, Troy Andrew Bone, was irrational and a threat, and Woulfe's actions were reasonable. On Friday, after 15 days hearing, Woulfe was acquitted on both charges.
Millewa league officials said yesterday that Woulfe was not seen at the footy on Saturday. But many in Mildura expect him to return to football administration in the future.
By Paul Daffey
Article first appeared The Age, September 17, 2008
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