It was the Roos’ first win since season 2022, with the club’s senior football and netball teams having to miss season 2024 due to player shortage and flood devastation to the clubhouse.
But there were jubilant scenes at the picturesque setting last Saturday when captain Joe Hansen led his players off the ground and up to the changerooms.
It was magnificent to hear the football club song so loudly sung by players and supporters in the packed changerooms.
“There’s a lot of emotion at the moment. It’s awesome,” an emotional Corowa Rutherglen Football Netball Club president Grahem Hosier said.
“To get this win for the town and the supporters is huge – just fantastic. It’s a massive step forward.”
Club secretary/treasurer Rowena Black described the win as “extremely special”. “We’ve been working hard all year with what we’ve got, and it’s finally paid off,” she said.
“It’s very, very satisfying the hard work has paid off.”
Rowena praised the players for “all their hard work”.
“For the people around the club for a long time it’s very special. Well done to Steve and all the coaching staff. Full credit to them. It all came together today,” she added.
Senior coach Steve Owen, who has done a power of work getting a good, competitive team together, said the season has been “a testing time” but the last few weeks have seen the structures working well and all the hard work was worth it for Saturday’s win.
“The win was two years in the making,” he said.
“It’s been a tough year, but I can’t fault the players.”
Last Saturday’s celebration scenes reminded club game record holder Kade Kuschert of the Roos’ premiership win in 2003 and said the performances give so much joy.
Last Saturday’s victory was “reward for effort for the whole town, it’s like a grand final”. according to Kuschert who said some people said the club would never get back after standing out for season 2023.
Supporters charging onto the ground when that final siren sounded was indeed a great sight.
“We have a great band of supporters,” Mr Hosier said and mentioned all the kids racing onto the ground among the players and hearing the club song for the first time in 18 or 20 months.
“The changerooms were absolutely packed and that was such a great sight,” he said.
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