MCDFNL: Campbells Creek end their 29-game country footy losing streak

Campbells Creek, the junior club of AFL star Dustin Martin, has celebrated an incredible end to one of the longest losing streaks in local football. See the video.

The wait was worth it in the end for Campbells Creek Football Netball Club.

There were tears, cheers, and relief as the side defeated Maryborough Rovers by one point to win for the first time in four years in the Maryborough Castlemaine and District Football Netball League.

How sweet it is! Campbells Creek secure their first win in four years. Picture: Rob Leeson.

The side that was the first junior club for Richmond superstar Dustin Martin and started his career ended a 29-game losing streak, stretching back to July 28, 2018, or 1,457 days.

It was also the first win since the club came back after being in recess during the 2021 season.

But it didn’t almost happen for the 138-year-old club.

Maryborough Rovers led by 15 points with six minutes left in the contest and looked likely to end their own 22-game losing streak.

The Magpies stormed home, reducing the margin to one point with under two minutes to go, before kicking two late behinds to avoid the draw and gain the drought-breaking victory.

Campbells Creek players celebrate after winning their first game this season after 29 straight losses. Picture: Rob Leeson.

“They boys looked like they were out on their feet but had a lot of belief in each other,” Campbells Creek coach Kris Bagley said.

“They are a very close knit group and got the job done.”

The 29-game streak included three losses in the 2018 season, 15 losses in the 2019 season and 11 games this season.

The club during that time also had Richmond premiership player Alex Rance play as part of the Carlton Draught Draft, but wasn’t able to secure the win on that occasion despite kicking three goals.

Campbells Creek looked likely to make it 30 losses in a row and were behind for most of the day, with Maryborough leading at every change except for the last.

Bagley said he made sure the team knew how important the game was at the final change.

“The message was to the boys if you are ever going to do anything, now is the time,” he said.

“This is our grand final for the year, we come back from recession and that was our message.

“The boys were good enough to get the job done.”

Campbells Creek are now hoping the win will boost the side towards more success this year and into the future.

“This win means a lot to us,” Bagley said.

“It helps us with recruiting moving forward and it will be a massive stepping stone for us.

“Now they (the players) know how to win, it will be massive for us.”

Bagley said the win gave him belief in what he was doing at the club after some doubts crept in during the season.

Myles Whitney and Lachlan Hyland celebrate the Campbells Creek win. Picture: Rob Leeson.

“I wasn’t sure I made the right decision after the first few rounds to be coach of Campbells Creek,” he said.

“I wouldn’t change a thing and hopefully we can keep on the journey.”

Bagley said the Stevens brothers played well with Mitchell Stevens in the ruck playing with no changes for him during the day.

Dylan Stevens, who kicked two goals, was joined by Kyle Gallatly who kicked two goals and got the players of the match for the side.

A dejected Maryborough Rovers player after the club suffered its 23rd straight loss. Picture: Rob Leeson.

The loss for Maryborough Rovers extends their losing streak to 23 defeats, with Campbells Creek rising off the bottom of the ladder following their win.

It was a perfect day for the Magpies, on their sponsors day, with all their football teams, reserves, seniors and under-11.5’s winning during the day and the club adding two victories in the netball.