Grandson of a gun continues Overman legacy

St Bernard’s OCFC was one of many VAFA clubs to conduct a virtual Best & Fairest Awards count recently, and it was young star Ben Overman who claimed the Gus Mitchell Medal as the Snow Dogs’ best & fairest player.

In a shortened but intense season of William Buck Premier football, Overman’s win was a magnificent achievement for many reasons and in a Snow Dogs team that won five games and finished in seventh spot on the ladder.

Unbelievably, 2021 was Overman’s first season of senior football. He graduated wholly through the junior ranks and slotted in seamlessly across half back, finishing in the final two for the Mecwacare Men’s Rising Star Award.

But as significantly for the club, he continues a rich chronicle of family involvement in St Bernard’s history.

Ben is the son of Jack Overman, a former premiership player, Vice-Captain and himself a second best & fairest award winner.

He is also the grandson of former player, Peter Overman.

Peter is currently the oldest living former player of the club, and brother of inaugural co-founder of the club, Jim Overman.

Peter Overman has the unique title of grandfather to two (2) senior best & fairest winners, in Ben this year and, the eldest of his grandsons, Tom Overman, in 2010.

Tom is the son of Mick Overman, a former player and club President, and now Executive Board Member of the VAFA.

Ben’s cousin Harry (Mick’s son), who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 19 in 2012, also won a club U19 best & fairest award (2010) in the same year he won the VAFA U19 North competition best & fairest (GW McTaggart Medal).

The Overman name has undoubtedly been a significant part of the history of the St Bernard’s OCFC and, it seems, will continue to be so for many years to come.