Ormond Celebrates Past Glories in Style

It was the most successful period in the history of the Ormond Amateur Football Club – 1985-1990. This six year period netted a total of nine premierships – 5 A Section Senior premierships and 4 A Section Reserves premierships.

Current Ormond players and supporters were joined by 61 of the 92 former Ormond premiership players for the ‘Celebration of an Era’ function held last Saturday evening. In total, 255 of the Ormond faithful converged on the home of football, the MCC Members Dining Room at the MCG, to hear stories and watch footage of highlights from this golden era of the Club.

The VAFA’s legendary coach, and coach of the five A Senior premierships, Mike McArthur-Allen, delivered an enlightening account of the foundations for the Club’s incredible success during this period. He was followed by four time premiership captain, Russell Barnes, who spoke of the uncompromising and ruthless style of play of the Ormond teams of that era, whilst Tim Stewart, the Club’s games record holder and multiple reserves premiership player, provided a humorous account of the wags and personalities who combined as premiership reserves players.

Other highlights from the evening included the parade of the five premiership cups by each corresponding year’s best & fairest player, the two video presentations produced by the VAFA’s media man (although not for long), Andrew Leonard, and the club song sung with much gusto by all 260 guests to round out the formalities.

The mood was celebratory and expectant, as the current day senior and reserves players strive for their own piece of history this season. As Mike McArthur-Allen said in closing, “Look back with pride Ormond, as you set out from this point forward to create your own history”.