The MDFL completed an outstanding year having 12 community football and netball clubs competing, man with interesting results.
The usual clubs lined up for action in September, including reigning premiers Wickliffe Lake Bolac, Tatyoon, Penshurst, Lismore Derrinallum and Woorndoo Mortlake, with Great Western taking Wickliffe Lake Bolac's place in the final four.
The Westerners recruited three Tiwi Islanders with great football ability, bolstering the side after a recess. The changes helped to prove that it is possible for a club going through recess to come out later to win a premiership - possibly one for historians.
Ararat Eagles were under pressure from the first bounce finding players extremely difficult to encourage to the team. President Nats McRoberts proved to be one of the outstanding volunteers from league clubs who helped with the effort to have a community club in Ararat and should be highly commended. The Eagles had one forfeit for the season but produced the second largest loss of 509 behinds in football history against Great Western. Most remaining clubs had indifferent results, finding the leading group too strong.
AFL Western introduced a review to be carried out across the South West region with a proposal for changes to the MDFL. The AFL has announced a funding proposal eliminating certain costs charged by the AFL to all community football and netball clubs. This decision arose from a petition led by Commissioner John White which was supported by Centre Bounce and 2000 plus other football identities.
The MDFL finals program will go into history for having four finals decided by less than two kicks including a tie at full time in the first semi-final. The grand final at Lake Bolac should be spoken about for years as it had a record $38,000 gate, an exceptional presented playing surface and catering to satisfy the massive crowd. The main highlight was how Great Western over ran Penshurst in the final four minutes of the game to snatch a five point victory.
The Lewis Medal was won by Justine Eales (Penshurst) with 25 votes, with runner up David Brady (Tatyoon) on 20 votes. The reserves medal was won by Luke Notting (Great Western) 23 votes, with Warrick Millar (Lismore Derrinallum) runner up on 20 votes. In the under 16.5 division. Hamish Wortley (Hawkesdale Macarthur) won with 26 votes from Dylan Eats (Glenthompson Dunkeld), runner up on 18 votes.
On behalf of Over the Fence, Roving Eyes and Centre Bounce thank you to the paper's staff for their help over the past 36 years of MDFL contribution to the Advertiser.
