David Jennings, who lead the club to premiership glory in 2001, was named coach of the team, while Allister Williamson slotted into a forward pocket.

Selection in the side means the pair have now been a part of an unprecedented three teams of the decade, in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

Murray Jensen, who was chair of the selection committee, said it was a fantastic achievement and a true test of loyalty shown by the two club identities.

"Those two have had a long term relationship with the club and this latest effort probably elevates them to legend status now," he said.

"Ali thought he might have been a bit lucky to make it in, but the selectors thought his performance at the start of the decade was enough."

Jennings and Williamson were both on the Team of the Decade selection committee, however neither one considered themselves likely for inclusion.

Other selectors included Scott Turner, Garry Todd and Tim Shea, all of whom had been involved with Ararat over different periods during the decade.

Continued page 47.

From page 48

Jensen said his role was not to help select the side but instead oversee the selection proceedings.

"Selectors were given a comprehensive list of all players that had played for the club over the 10-year period," he said.

"They went away and selected their own side and then came together and compared what they had come up with.

"A lot of the selectors had players in the same positions, there might have been one that had a player on a half-back flank and the other had him in a pocket, but overall they were fairly similar.

"It was probably selecting the last half a dozen players that generated a bit of discussion, there were a lot of good ones to choose from. All in all that took a bit of time."

Keeping with selection of the past six Team of the Decades, there was no selection criteria, instead the committee chose players they felt performed the best for the Rats over a reasonable period of time.

Jensen said that many might look at the past 10 years and think that it wasn't successful for Ararat given Horsham's strangle hold on the competition, however a premiership, two grand final appearances and six final campaigns speaks for itself.

"I also think one of the big achievements of the decade was having three Toohey Medallists," he said.

"It is great to think that even in those years when we weren't winning premierships, we still had players that played well enough to be regarded as the best in the league.

"Apart from one or two years we have never been that far away from the top five, so it has still been a reasonable decade."

Over 200 people, including many past players, attended the Rats' Heritage Ball at the Ararat Performing Arts Centre on Saturday night.

Jensen said the night was a huge success, with the auctioning of special heritage jumpers particularly popular.

"It was absolutely wonderful and I've had a few players call and email me saying it was one of the best nights they have had," he said.

"I must thank David Harman for his hard work helping to put the night together and the Ararat Advertiser and Gayle Dadswell for promoting the club's heritage in the lead up to event.

"The message I want the current crop of players to get out of the night is to aim to get into the current decade's team. The only way to achieve that is to be loyal to the club, take a leaf out of Alli Williamson's book, if you are loyal then success will follow."

Ararat Football Netball Club Team of the Decade (2001-2010)

B: Doug Walton, Sam Pitman, Joe Waring

HB: Scott Graham, Shaun Allen, Ben Harrison

C: David Oliver, Paul McLoughan (c), Glenn Antonio

HF: Dale Bligh, Michael Fratin, Jake Williamson

F: Allister Williamson, Rohan May, Tim Shea

Foll: Nigel Edwards, Matt Jackson, Alan Batchelor

Int: Michael Hosking, Adam Leslie, Lachie Malloy, Peter Thompson

Coach: David Jennings