Hamley Bridge Football Club wins first Adelaide Plains Football League match in almost five years

It was a long, tough 1737 days between drinks but this country footy club has finally broken its 60-game winless run in an inspiring victory.

As the siren rang out across Long Plains Oval on Saturday, relief washed over the Hamley Bridge Football Club and quickly turned to emotional ecstasy.

The Bombers had done it.

After 60 games and 1737 days, the battling Adelaide Plains Football League club broke its almost five-year winless run.

It marked a significant turning point for the club from the small town about an hour north of Adelaide.

Not long ago Hamley Bridge was on its knees, suffering 300 and even 400-point losses – and that was towards the start of the long drought, which began in 2016.

But on Saturday the thrashings, the close losses and everything in between became a distant memory.

Inspired by six goals from star recruit and former Port Adelaide forward John Butcher, the young Bombers side powered over the top of United in the second half to win 14.23 (107) to 8.2 (50).

The lyrics to the Hamley Bridge Football Club's unique song. Picture: Supplied

Ex-Power forward John Butcher signed for Hamley Bridge in the off-season. Picture: Hamley Bridge Football Club Facebook

Hamley Bridge coach Matt Norman said the moments when the siren sounded and the song in the changerooms after were ones to savour.

“Walking off the field with all the B grade, netballers and supporters there cheering … there was a lot of emotion,” Norman, who took over as coach at the beginning of last year.

“It’s been a long time coming and we’ve come close a number of times before, so to finally get there was pretty special.

“A few of the boys struggled with the words … we’ve got a pretty unique club song as well.”

Hamley Bridge’s decline began after the club won the league’s A grade premiership in 2014 before experiencing a mass player exodus at the end of the season and going winless the next year.

Until Saturday, the Bombers hadn’t won a game since July 16, 2016.

There were even discussions about whether the club would close its doors.

Hamley Bridge players walk off the field following their drought-breaking win over United. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve certainly improved a lot over the last 18 months, both on and off-field,” Norman said.

The culmination of the effort came of Saturday and was helped by a star inclusion in ex-Power spearhead Butcher, who booted 6.7 in the win.

“John’s experience has been invaluable,” Norman said.

“He’s a really quiet, humble guy who’s just bought into everything. I think he could see how much it meant to everyone else.”

Butcher will play the first half of the season with the Bombers before heading home to Maffra to play under his father along with his brother.

Instrumental in bringing him to the club was Daniel Healy, who Norman says “could sell ice to an Eskimo”.

The Central District premiership captain grew up in Hamley Bridge and came back to lend a hand when the club was on its knees.

“I’m just really excited for so many people up there who have done some hard yards for a bloody long time,” Healy said.

Action from Hamley Bridge's drought-breaking win over United. Picture: Supplied

“People who went through some pretty sh*tty times – to the point where we weren’t sure if it was worth going on.

“But their fight to say ‘no, we need this for the town and we want a viable footy club’ has been so inspiring.

“A town without a pub and a footy team – it’s almost saying ‘we’re shut for business’.”

While the Bombers are not out of the woods yet – they still face financial and resource challenges like any country footy club – it is safe to say the tide has turned.

Saturday’s win was one to savour, as many did later that night.

The town’s pub hasn’t reopened following last year’s COVID shutdown, so about

150 people packed club sponsor the Owen Arms Hotel in the neighbouring town for the post-match presentations.

With a young and energetic side, the Bombers and the people of Hamley Bridge will be confident it will not be the last win they celebrate in 2021.