LIKE the famous words from the classic Australian poem by John O'Brien, Ed Gannon's article on country football last Thursday would have left people thinking that football and netball is in crisis.

I would like to convey to all Victorians as a person who has witnessed "The Fevola Experiment" at Yarrawonga, just how positive it has been to the Yarrawonga-Mulwala area and the Ovens and Murray League.

Fevola has played in five home matches for Yarrawonga and has attracted 32,000 people, more than the total of the last three years' home matches.

He has played two away games, one at Myrtleford, where he drew over 3000 people. After that game, he donated his match payment to the Royal Women's Hospital.

Where else in the last 50 years has anyone been able to go and see a national TV star perform and kick 10 and 12 goals in a match and then be able to meet, have photos taken with him, then gain his autograph, all for the $10 entry charge?

In the five home and away matches, Yarrawonga has not had any security issues or alcohol-affected spectator problems.

One of the reasons is the quality of the crowds. Behaviour has been impeccable, which could be explained by the very high percentage of female attendees.

The fact that some female supporters haven't been to a match in 30 years, but have been to five home matches that Fevola has played in, surely is good for country football.

It is worth noting that AFL footballers coming to the Ovens and Murray is not new. Names like Bill Stephen, Bob Rose, Ken Fraser and Murray Weideman have thrilled country crowds, but fine weather, national TV exposure and people willing to travel great distances to see Fev play, have combined to give country footy a giant lift.

Thousands of people who volunteer and sacrifice a large part of their lives to keep country football and netball clubs running, right across Victoria, would have been appalled at Gannon's article.

Football in the country is under enough threat from live AFL pay TV, volunteer burnout and outdated facilities. He should turn his attention to getting more money out of the AFL for country football where so many stars are born.

"The Fevola Experiment" has promoted the Yarrawonga/Mulwala area all over Australia. No amount of money could have bought that type of promotion. Everyone has now heard of the Yarrawonga Pigeons.

Brendan Fevola has been a credit to himself, acting impeccably, yet we still can't get away from a journalist trying to drag him down and with it country football.

As for the suggestion that the Ovens and Murray League has become hostage to the "shenanigans' of a former AFL star, that is far from the truth.

The league has never had so much good publicity and record attendances, and is the envy of all Victorian country football leagues.

Betting is nothing new in country football, as far back as I can remember there have been flutters between mates on country football matches.

At least now it is legal. Having a punt is part of the Australian culture, just ask any of our Diggers who survived the loneliness and boredom of war, playing two up.

I would like to challenge the writer to come to the Yarrawonga/Wodonga Raiders match at Yarrawonga on June 30 to experience something that so many people in northeast Victoria have been so fortunate to witness.

In the words of Bruce McAvaney, "It's been very, very special".

John Lawless is a local businessman, civic leader and a sponsor of both the Mulwala and Yarrawonga Football/Netball clubs

By John Lawless

Article first appeared The Herald Sun, June 20, 2012