New merged team out of Southern Mallee and Jeparit Rainbow to be called the Thunder
The state’s newest country footy team now officially has identity after details surrounding the club’s name, nickname and colours were confirmed. Here’s what we know.
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There will still be a big sound for the Wimmera league’s newest team after merged club formed by the Southern Mallee Giants and Jeparit Rainbow unveiled its identity.
The new club will be called the Southern Mallee Thunder after a vote by members.
The two options they voted on were between the Thunder or the Power.
It follows the two clubs coming together at the end of the 2023 season to merge after both struggled to field junior teams over the past few years while the senior sides had low numbers.
The team will now compete in the Wimmera league with Jeparit Rainbow’s place in the Horsham and District league being left vacant.
The new merged team is the joining of four towns in the area – Jeparit, Rainbow, Hopetoun and Beulah.
“It (the Thunder) was voted on by financial members a few weeks ago, so that’s how the decision was arrived at,” current Jeparit Rainbow president and expected Southern Mallee Thunder president Lucas Edelsten said.
“The working group between the Giants and the Storm had a meeting and arrived at those sort of options.
“We based one design (Power) around Strathfieldsaye Storm, they are Geelong colours.
“The other (Thunder) was the black, white and teal, which is Port Power.”
The Thunder chose to have colours based on an AFL club to help with getting merchandise, guernseys and other items sorted after having trouble with Jeparit Rainbow when it wore green.
The club is now in the process of getting having the designs approved by the league.
Once it happens the team can then focus on next year by recruiting coaches and players to play for the club.
Edelsten said the club was hopeful both previous sides would have players involved in the first Thunder team.
“We’re trying to keep as many as we can on board,” he said.
“There’s a few blokes who are going to retire. They’ve been ticking along keeping the teams going.
“The goal is to try to keep an identity across all four towns.”
The annual general meeting for the club will be held on November 22 with training and pre-season looking to start in December.
But there are already benefits of the move.
The under-14 and under-17 teams are already planning for next year.
“The under-14 and under-17 footy are really excited about the merger going forward,” Edelsten said.
“They are already in group chats and sorting out where they are going to play.
“That was the main driving force behind the Giants pursuing amalgamation and we (Storm) weren’t far behind.
“More numbers and better training and it’s better for our junior development (to make the move).
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