The closing stages of Saturday's grand final perfectly encapsulated what was behind Minyip-Murtoa's history-making season.
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As the final siren delivered the Burras their first Wimmera Football League flag in 21 years, there was one group on the field to congratulate them before anyone else.
Who else but Minyip-Murtoa's premiership-winning A Grade netball side.
In one momentous afternoon, the Burras claimed their maiden A Grade premiership and their first senior football flag since 1998.
Driving Minyip-Murtoa's 2019 campaign has been a tight bond between the club's football and netball teams.
Minyip-Murtoa president Scott Arnold said a conscious effort was made to strengthen the relationships between everyone at the club.
"You've got to have the bond with everyone at the club. It's great," he said
"The football and netball team trained together during the pre-season. Thursday night, they always go over and see each other.
"You've got to have that relationship with everyone at the club, whether they're a parent or a kid, an old retired player, or a young kid coming through.
"In small communities, everyone has to belong to the sporting club, and we want everyone to belong. They've got to feel like they belong."
Minyip-Murtoa coach John Delahunty said it was special to share a historic afternoon with the netball team.
"When they (A Grade netball team) came up I was like 'why the hell have you got a medal around your neck'. They were huge underdogs I believe," he said.
A Grade coach Billie Bibby was nearly speechless after the game.
"It's been an absolute rollercoaster ... we've definitely taken the hard way to win that premiership, but I couldn't have asked the girls for anymore," she said.
Delahunty said it had been a great year for all of the club.
"The whole year it's been very social out at the Burras. We've got a good thing going out there," he said.
"We partied hard all year, in the right way, and that bond that we've created there again is great.
"It has just been a really wholesome club this year."
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Matt Currill
Matt covers the Ballarat Football Netball League and cricket. Get in touch at matt.currill@thecourier.com.au
Matt covers the Ballarat Football Netball League and cricket. Get in touch at matt.currill@thecourier.com.au
