Six become one in South East success story

BY NICK DILLON

One of the great community football success stories of 2020 was the creation of the Limestone Coast Football League.

When six clubs from the Western Border, Kowree-Naracoorte-Tatiara and Mid South Eastern football leagues put aside their allegiances to form the pioneering league for this year, it further showed the resilience and flexibility of football clubs in the face of the pandemic.

What it also showed was the high level of competition and equity between the three leagues.

East Gambier, North Gambier and South Gambier joined from the WBFL, Kybybolite and Mundulla from the KNTFL and MSEFL club Kalangadoo all took part in this year’s competition.

“From a position where we looked like having no senior football in the South East in 2020, the Limestone Coast Football League was able to provide a great opportunity for those clubs and communities willing to commit and work safely in the current environment,” said SANFL Football Operations Coordinator South East Michael Mourbey.

“The clubs that competed really benefited. We found that on a week to week basis the standard of the competition was extremely high and feedback from the public was that it was a great concept and extremely entertaining and refreshing to watch.”

While at this stage the leagues will return to their normal format in 2021, this year provided an insight into the opportunities available to clubs and leagues that are progressive in their mindset and format.

For now, Mundulla Football Club have bragging rights as the top team in the South East.

Mundulla won a competitive grand final against South Gambier by just 10 points after trailing early in front of 1400 people at Blue Lake Sports Park in Mount Gambier.

Mundulla also won the reserves grand final by 25 points against the same opponent.

GRAND FINAL RESULTS

Mundulla             0.2          3.4          6.6          7.8          (50)

South Gambier  2.1          3.2          4.2          6.4          (40)

BEST: Mundulla – N. Gregurke, T. Gaden, J. Hinge, J. McGrice, T. Perry, E. Jaeschke. South Gambier – T. Saffin, B. O’Neil, C. Munro, K. Eagleson, P. Glynn, M. Smith.

GOALS: Mundulla – R. Tink, J. Hinge, T. McIntyre 2, N. Mosey. South Gambier – K. Eagleson 2, B. O’Neil, T. Reid, B. Foster, K. Jones.