Quambatook’s football club ends as a new chapter begins

Quambatook Football Club officially ends after 111 years. Full reaction here.

The closure of the Quambatook Football Club was not meant to end like this.

After 111 years the Saints have officially played their last game, losing the preliminary final in the Golden Rivers Football League to Moulamein on Saturday.

Earlier this year the club made the decision to end, taking the football and netball club away from Quambatook, a town located almost 300km away from Melbourne and 60km from Swan Hill.

Quambatook, battling for a spot in the grand final, lost by seven points despite leading by 16 points at half time.

Moulamein took control of the contest in the third quarter, kicking three goals to just one behind, to lead by six points heading into the final change.

The Swans held on despite a late charge from the Saints to end the famous club and knock them out in straight sets.

“It was upsetting to end the way it did,” Quambatook president Rhys Carmichael said.

“There was an emotional moment for a while (after the game).

“It wasn’t just Quamby people, it hit everyone.

“Everyone realised it was the last time they’d ever see the club play.”

It was also a shock with many players and fans expecting Quambatook to make the grand final.

The Saints has finished second at the end of the home and away season and had beaten Moulamein on every occasion this year.

Brady Tillig played in the last season for Quambatook, which ended last weekend. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

But Carmichael said their attitude didn’t help in the contest.

“It was Moulamein that turned up to play and we didn’t,” he said.

“Saturday wasn’t our day.

“We did have a couple of injuries to key backmen but Moulamein just wanted it more, they were hungrier and we just slacked off I suppose.

“We went in there with a bit of arrogance.”

Carmichael added the pressure of the game and it potentially being the last for the club weighed heavily on everyone.

“It would have played a part for sure,” he said.

“There are a lot of boys with a lot of pressure on their shoulders.

“The loss left a bit of sour taste in the mouth (of a few).”

Carmichael said it’s been a tough few weeks for the club and the committee with the realisation the Saints would no longer be around.

“I think it has really sunk in for the community,” he said.

“It has been hard leading towards the end of the season and it got harder emotionally that this is it.

“It really sunk in, in our final home game.

“Next year it will be a bit sad when we go to other clubs (to play).”

Carmichael expects most of the players to move to other clubs in the Golden Rivers Football League while some may move on to other areas of Victoria.

William Collicoat celebrates earlier this year in brighter times for the club. Picture Yuri Kouzmin

So what will happen to the clubrooms and the oval?

Carmichael said the oval would be maintained by the committee which owns it and didn’t rule out hosting matches next year for other clubs.

But the main focus will be on the clubrooms and turning them into a community area to host events.

Playing another sport at the venue has not been ruled out either.

“The grounds are owned by a committee as such so we’ve got to keep maintaining them,” Carmichael said.

“The club grounds will be a community centre, we’ve got to keep making money somehow so there are plans towards that in the coming months.

“There is a golf course around the oval so there is a possibility that we might get the golf club back.”

Carmichael said while the season didn’t end on the high it wanted, it still had plenty of highlights.

“I’d like to thank the committee and everyone that has been involved in the club, playing and volunteering over the years,” he said.

“Quambatook would not have lasted as long without them.

“It’s really sad to see us go.”

The Golden Rivers Football League final will be held between Moulamein and Nullawil at Nullawil’s home ground at 2.30pm on Saturday.