The Bombers are flying high in the Mid Gippsland Football League at the moment and the Yallourn-Yallourn North Football Club headquarters was a particularly happy place to be at the weekend as past players gathered to celebrate four teams of the century.
Pennants and medals were presented to the Brown Coal Mine (1919 -1947), Yallourn North (1948-1975), Yallourn (1954-1976) and Yallourn-Yallourn North (1977-1985) sides of the last 100 years.
Past players came from near and far to reminisce and celebrate the club’s achievements.
At the end of the presentations, past players president Rudi Bence was surprised as he was made inaugural legend of the club.
Brown Coal Mine team (1919-1947)
Backs: Alf Cook, William Skinner, Neville Stepnall.
Half-backs: Stan Rendall, Jack Murphy, Allen Hemmings.
Centres: Ken Crane, Victor Ray (captain), John McGregor.
Half-forwards: Eric Lyons, Peter Reville, R. Halliday.
Forwards: Evan Cameron, Keith Shields, William Coffin.
Rucks: George Rendall, Bill Mackie, Harold Smith (rover).
Interchange/emergencies: Bert Coulson, Jim Gardiner, Leo Julin, Ron DeCarli, Les Sadler, Lofty Churchill, Jack Thompson.
Coach: William Coffin.
Yallourn North Football Club (1948-1976)
Backs: Alf Cook, Bill Mackie, Norm Cook.
Half-backs: Ron Skinner, Jim Fry, Merv Crane.
Centres: Harold Stevens, Len Hayes, Max Nevin.
Half-forwards: Ken Healey, Peter Cook, Garry Crane.
Forwards: Robin Dean, Barry Bourchier, Peter Clarke.
Rucks: John Lovison, Robert Hutchinson, Barry Cook (rover).
Interchange: Robert Welsh, Maurice Martin, Mal Pailey, John Jackson.
Captain-coach: Len Hayes.
Yallourn Football Club (1954-1976)
Backs: Ron Lee, Brian Rochford, Tony Radford.
Half-backs: Grant Cowley, Kevin Fanning, Neville Gorman.
Centres: Mossie Williams, Gary Keating, Ray Kitney.
Half-forwards: Colin Dell, Barry Mathison, Murray French.
Forwards: Bruce Knight, George Bates, Rick Belford.
Followers: Steve Szabo, John Hutchinson (captain), Jim Shaw.
Interchange: Laurie Shipp, Max Bradbury, Neil Meredith, Keith Angove.
Coach: Don Palmer.
Yallourn-Yallourn North Football Club (1977-1985)
Backs: John Sheekey, Chris Lovison, Dale Foster.
Half-backs: Gary Young, Kevin Neille, Neil Brennan.
Centres: John Brown, Ray Mildenhall, Peter McLennon.
Half-forwards: Barry Fry, Wayne MacInnes, Phil Fleming.
Forwards: Ron Lee, Kay Sweeney, Michael Lovison.
Rucks: Rudi Bence, Ray Koelman, Neil Meredith (rover).
Interchange: Kevin Hay, Peter Brazalis, Ray DeCarli, John Lovison.
Captain-coach: Ray Koelman.
