How’s that, we did it. The Koondrook Barham FNC have returned to finals footy after a break of I think about 8 to 9 years. We defied the odds and all of those so called footy pundits by making the finals. It has been a fantastic effort by our club considering where our footy/netball club has come back from. The wheels were obviously put in motion around the start of 2025 to get the club back on track with the appointment of Marcus Demaria as coach. His wealth of knowledge in the football world, which is second to none, has reaped the rewards we were striving for. The influx of some recruits along with the array of local talent we already had has proved worthwhile, so it’s onwards and upwards from hereon in! The netballers must also be congratulated on their improvement this year. They were probably in the same position as the footballers. A Grade has secured the double chance and could go all the way. They will be joined by our Under 17’s who I think play in the Elim. Final. So we will be represented by the Reserves and A Grade on the Saturday at Woorinen then on the Sunday at Swan Hill we will have the Under 15’s, Colts, Seniors and the Under 17’s netballers. Bet the CMFL are rubbing their hands together having us and the Cohuna Kangas involved in finals footy $$$$. The Raiders Wheel of Fortune conducted on the Sunday after the vote count was well received and the lucky winner was Hannah Gogoll. Well done to Jane on your fundraising ideas, you should become an entrepreneur! The Find the Footy is still going, no luck for our Pres. Paul or Marto last week. It has now jackpotted to $700 so it’s well worth winning! Onto the footy results and all the interest was whether we could beat the Swans by enough to jump back in the five. At the same time all eyes were on the Woorinen/Tooley-Manang game hoping Woorinen could do the right thing by us and have a big win over them. Both plans came to fruition with the Raiders kicking another mammoth score against the Swans and then Woora belted the Tooley-Manang team. Next minute we were back in the five and playing finals. Awards went to Jack Thrum (Counterpoint Man of the Day), Jack is one of our leaders and leads by example, Nathan O’Toole (HMF Award). Tooley is another playing some real good footy at the moment, Roy George (Barham Caravan Tourist Park), the Rioli of the bush. How good was it to have Roy back in our colours, and Benji Neal (Barham Hotel voucher). Benji has been one of our best recruits ever at our club and gives his all every week. Others to play well were Ryan Basett and Jack Shannon. The Ressy’s won their game to sew up second spot and secure the double chance. Another fantastic effort by the team. Different standard during finals boys but I’m sure you can go deep into the finals! Awards went to Lachy Vagg (Wes Hare Scooby of the Day), Louis Cain (Matesy’s voucher), Tom Amor (Mitre 10 award) and Ash Molin (Barham Hotel voucher). The Colts got rolled by the top team so the challenge is there for the boys to step up starting this weekend against old rivals Cohuna Kangas. Awards went to Riley Davis (Raiders Socks), Mitch Lowry (Don Taylor Pen), Hugo Gray (Wilma Bott Canteen voucher), and Kynan Laursen (Hard Yakka HMF). Coaches Cash went to Lachlan Maher. The Under 15’s also lost, only by 4pts, but the challenge is also there for them to take the next step and win their first finals appearance in many years. Best players were Nate Pretty, Jakson Curry, Brodie Hall, Ted Hobson, James McDonald & Thomas Bell. All the B&F awards were handed out last Sunday. Winners were as follows: Football: Seniors Benji Neal, Reserves Tom Amor, Colts Kynan Laursen Unders 15’s James McDonald. Netball: A Grade Emma Peacock, A Res Shanae O’Donoghue, B Grade Amy Haw, B Res Kayla Drysdale, Under 17’s Taylah Pratt-Nener, Under 15’s Stella Ettershank, Under13’s Eliza McDonald, Under 13 Res Adelaide Hall. So there you are a lot of potential superstars there! so congrats to all those winners.

We will be hosting the 2nd Semi on the 6th Sept, all hands on deck, footbal