Navarre enters country football history with 50th win

A TEAM has written its name into country football folklore with its 50th consecutive win.

NAVARRE  has written its name into country football folklore with its 50th consecutive win in the Maryborough Castlemaine District by defeating Natte Bealiba on Sunday.

The Grasshoppers trailed for most of the day and were down by 16 points during the final term.

But under the lead of playing co-coach Ash Driscoll, Navarre stormed home in the low-scoring affair, kicking the last four goals of the game to run out 11-point winners, 8.11 (59) to 7.6 (48) and notch up the half-ton.

Ash Driscoll

Driscoll, who has followed in his father Wayne’s footsteps by playing and coaching the Grasshoppers, credited his side’s ability to rally at three-quarter time to keep the streak alive.

“We pride ourselves on our fourth quarters,” he said.

“In the huddle we put it to our leaders and the group to perform — and we did under pressure.”

Despite letting victory slip, Natte Bealiba coach Jarrod Bateson said the Swans could take some positives from the match.

“I was proud of how the boys played, but it was disappointing to be in a winning position and not get the result,” Bateson said. “We sh­owed our best footy could match them though, it’s just a case of putting in a four-quarter effort”.

It remains unclear exactly where the winning streak ranks Navarre in terms of Victorian country football history, but it was not something the team was focused on, said Driscoll.

“When we’re out on the field it’s not something we really think about,” he said.

“That said, it’s a great achievement for the club and to be part of it.”

Navarre has another test this weekend in an undefeated Royal Park outfit on Saturday.

The Tigers will travel to Navarre for the top-of-the-table clash and senior coach Anthony Beacham said his side would be up to the task.

“We’ve been kind of pinpointing this game for a long time, I want my players to experience these big moments,” Beacham said.

The Navarre winning streak dates back to the Maryborough Castlemaine District finals series in 2013.

The Grasshoppers suffered their last defeat at the hands of Newstead in the qualifying final that year.

Navarre has won the past three Maryborough Castlemaine District premierships.