Sport
5 June, 2023
Maryborough Rovers take memorable double win in last meeting with Royal Park
It was a memorable day for all the right reasons at Hedges Oval. A big crowd gathered to say farewell to the Royal Park/Maryborough Rovers rivalry, and fittingly, the senior football game was a thriller, while Maryborough Rovers dominated in the...
It was a memorable day for all the right reasons at Hedges Oval.
A big crowd gathered to say farewell to the Royal Park/Maryborough Rovers rivalry, and fittingly, the senior football game was a thriller, while Maryborough Rovers dominated in the A grade netball game to snatch a spot in the top eight at the halfway point of the year.
Royal Park celebrated their ‘Back to Bushy’ day in honour of their life members, with memorabilia celebrating the club spread around the clubrooms, while Bushy junior Jeremy Humm made a return to the club for his first senior game following 23 games with West Coast and Richmond from 2001 to 2006.
On the field and on the court, however, it was Rovers’ day.
A seesawing encounter saw Royal Park take the early ascendancy, leading by eight points at half time, but Rovers came out breathing fire in a crucial third quarter, kicking three goals while holding the Tigers goalless to set up a 17-point lead to start the last quarter.
Bushy then came back, scoring two goals to set up a grandstand finish, and were set to level the scores up, but a desperate Sam Powell tackle in the goalsquare denied Matt Walker the chance to tie the game.
In the end, Rovers held on by a goal, scoring 8.14 (62) to 9.2 (56).
Meantime, in the netball game, a dominant display by Rovers ensured that they would take eighth spot, thanks to a 51-27 win.
It was the first time in years that Rovers had won both A grade netball and senior football games on the same day, a point not lost on Rovers vice-president Mark Raven.
“I do think the last time football and netball enjoyed a win on the same day was back when Jamie Elliott was coaching,” he said.
“I’m glad we got the win in the seniors and reserves, as well as A grade netball. It would have been fitting and ironic had the senior game been a draw, but we were lucky enough to hold on.”
However, the day was all about celebrating both clubs, with Royal Park and Maryborough Rovers spectators lined around the ground.
Royal Park president Kate Balzan said it was good to see people coming back to create more of a buzz around their impending amalgamation for next season.
“We were really happy with the crowd. There were plenty of supporters who came back to watch the game, which was good,” she said.
“It was positive to think that we are creating such a buzz that can continue on to next year. We want the players to feel that buzz so they can get excited about it as well.
“Lots of people were thinking that it could be exciting when we’re all on the field together.”
Raven agreed with Balzan’s sentiment.
“It was great to see a lot of people at Royal Park — they ran the day well and it was good to catch up with a lot of faces I hadn’t seen for a long time,” he said.
“The plan from day one is to keep as many people and get as many people involved in the club as possible, given it’s a new community club for Maryborough. Hopefully we can have enough events during the year next season that involves the members, players and life members to enjoy these sorts of rounds.”
The Back to Bushy day was a way for the club to celebrate their history and heritage, with Balzan grateful for the work of Dot Weeks, who brought over three decades of scrapbooks complete with newspaper clippings and photos.
“It was great to look through some of the newspaper articles and photos. I enjoyed the scrapbooks coming in from Dot Weeks. She’s done it for a long time, and it was really nice,” she said.
For Humm, who was playing his first game of football in 10 years, it was a way to give back to the club that helped propel him all the way to the AFL.
“It was good to run around. I played under 17s here and it was always something I wanted after my footy career, to play a senior game and I enjoyed it,” he said.
“As a junior, seeing a lot of the old faces and having many of the life members there today… it’s sad to see the club is amalgamating, but it’s also in the club’s best interests.”
It was a twist of fate for Humm when he landed back in Australia, essentially arriving in the country as the initial press release for the announcement of serious talks between both clubs was released.
“I saw the press release come through Facebook as I’d just landed from the States. I decided I wanted to come back and be a part of it. To be honest, I was going to come back and not play, just hang around. The boys said I might as well put the jumper on while I still could,” he said.
Nevertheless, Humm said he enjoyed being part of the club, and is even considering running around for Maryborough’s newest club next season.
“Debuting at 40, I felt pretty much every bit of it, but it was good fun,” he said.
“It was an entertaining game. It was great to see everyone come out.
“(To play) was a decision made on Monday during the week. I said I was willing to play in the two’s if they were short on numbers. I hadn’t played for 10 years. I wanted to help out, but at the same time, I didn’t want to take someone’s position.”
Humm said it was fantastic to see old faces who had helped him through his junior journey still play a massive part at the club.
“Steve McMasters was the president growing up, and someone who mentored me when my dad was away. It’s funny, he’s still doing the timekeeping and goal umpiring and still very much part of the furniture,” he said.
“Aaron and Adam Balzan, Peter Egan, guys who have been there forever and I don’t think they age. Seeing a lot of those guys made me want to come back as well.
“Going interstate for 10 years, then coming back briefly and being overseas, you don’t get the chance to catch up with those sorts of people, so it was nice to spend some time with them.
“It’s the end of several strong cultures, but at the same time, it will be an exciting time next year, and going forward, putting together resources, players and getting more numbers at training and games. I’ll have to try get down and have a kick again next year.”
