Bunyip breaks 45-game winless drought with win over Poowong

A country footy club has broken through for its first win in almost three years and it sparked some wild celebrations. Here’s how it happened.

Bunyip players gather together earlier this year. The club ended a 45-game winless streak on Saturday. Picture: Bunyip Football Netball Club.

The wait for an elusive win was worth it for Bunyip players, coaches and committee members.

Bunyip defeated Poowong by 27 points to not only secure its first win in the Ellinbank District league since returning this year from the West Gippsland league but also end a long drought.

The Bulldogs had lost their past 45 matches, stretching back to 2022 and a final round win over Dalyston in the West Gippsland league.

It was a first senior win in 1037 days and ended a tough few months which saw coach Nick Smith leave part way through the season.

“There was a few sore heads on Sunday morning and I just got my voice back this morning,” Bunyip president Cass Hackett said.

“You couldn’t fit a toothpick in the club rooms when the song was being sung.

“It was euphoric.”

Bunyip won its first match in the Ellinbank District league since 2016. Picture: Supplied.

After a close first half, with just two points separating both teams, Bunyip kicked away in the third term, kicking five goals to one to open up a 27-point lead at the final change.

Despite Poowong, who remain winless this year, reducing the margin to 20 points at one stage during the final term, Bunyip held on.

William Grummisch, Tahj Murphy and Lachlan Petch each kicked two goals in the victory.

“We tried to keep a lid on it during the week, tried to do a normal preparation, not get too carried away,” Hackett said.
“Selection was tough on a Thursday night. It was just another normal game for us, the bonus was we got the four points.

“It was still touch and go that last quarter. I didn’t start breathing until five minutes to go in the last quarter.”

Hackett said the goal was to build on the win.

“The monkey is off the back and it’s now continuing with the plan put in place with the club,” she said.

“Now that the playing group has got the belief they can do it and they are worthy of a win it’s head down bum up.

“They can bloody win. There’s nothing stopping them from snagging a couple more.”

Originally published as Bunyip breaks 45-game winless drought with win over Poowong