THE anticipation levels surrounding the upcoming Cootamundra Blues 50 Year Anniversary have grown even higher, with organizers confirming this week that a Blues Team of the Half Century will be announced as part of the celebrations.
Several past and present players have been asked to form a selection panel and from their nominations the 18-player side will be announced at the anniversary
dinner to be held at the Town Hall on Saturday, June 20.
Throughout the five decade history of the club, the Blues have had some superb players, champions who have become legends of Clarke Oval.
Many of these will be walk up starters in the selected side, however the final make up of the 18 will remain a highly guarded secret until the night.
It’s hard to imagine names such as Warren Meale, Ron Milthorpe, Ken Forbes, Peter Delaney, Don Oliver, Phil Guthrie and Danny Jaques not making the cut, with the announcement of the side to be a highlight of the weekend.
One of the main organisers of the anniversary Chris Manwaring said a list of 50 to 60 players will be revealed in the Coota Herald the day prior to the weekend, adding to the excitement factor of the announcement.
“It will certainly add some extra to what will already be a special weekend for the club,” Manwaring said.
“We will be asking several past and present players to give us their thoughts on who should be included in the side and hopefully as many of the selected players as possible will be able to be there on the night and receive their acclamation from their fellow club mates.”
With more than 150 tickets to the dinner having already been purchased, Manwaring said organisers are tipping a crowd in excess of 200.
“Several players from the early years have confirmed they will be returning to town for the weekend, while as can be the case, the locals have been a little slower off the mark in terms of booking a seat,” he said.
Among the acceptances are the Blues inaugural coach Maurie Cousley who led the club for the first three
seasons (1960-62), fellow players from the early years Arnold Clarke and three time Club Best and Fairest Warren Meale.
Mrs Norma Ohlin, wife of 1962 Best and Fairest Brian Olhin has confirmed her reservation to honour the memory of her late husband, Ohlin, along with John Connell the instigators of a junior training program in 1962.
Moving forward a decade or two and the likes of Darren Earnshaw, Greg Egan, Leon Reid and Wayne DeBritt will all be back, while from more recent times, the acceptances to date include John Read who set a single season goal kicking record and former Captain Coach from the same year, Matt Conway.
Last minute tickets for the dinner are available from Chris Manwaring and Wayne Johston and all local Aussie Rules fans are urged to attend what promises to be the most memorable night in the club’s history.
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