Nullawil defeats Wycheproof-Narraport in final match for merger partners

Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport have played their last match before a merger takes place for next season. Hear from coaches, players and presidents on the day.

The end of an era shifted to the dawn of a new one late on Saturday.

The Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport match was the last time the two clubs separated by 26km of the Calder Highway took the field as stand-alone teams before a merger takes place next year.

History has recorded Nullawil winning 14.9 (93) to 13.6 (84) at home, but the result will be forever bittersweet.

Wedderburn beat Donald by 10 points to deny Nullawil the chance to play finals for the second year in a row in the North Central league.

Lucas Caccaviello starred for Nullawil against Wycheproof-Narraport. Pictures: Yuri Kouzmin

Nullawil lost control of its own destiny when it went down to Wedderburn in the second last round when Wycheproof-Narraport also had an “if only” moment with an upset win against top team Birchip-Watchem.

Up until last season, Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport, incredibly, had not played against each other for 72 years despite their proximity.

But that reconnection from the old Tyrrell league days sowed the seeds of the merger under the name of Calder United.

Both clubs accepted something significant had to happen to avoid suffering the same fate of so many others in the Mallee region that have disappeared including Quambatook only two years ago.

Nullawil and Wycheproof-Narraport players at the conclusion of the final round match.

Wycheproof and Narraport merged in 1964 and won a record 19 North Central league flags.

Its inaugural coach and greatest player, Mick Giddings, was part of the big crowd on Saturday.

Corey Jones, who played 157 matches for North Melbourne before he returned to Wycheproof-Narraport and won the 2013 Feeny Medal and starred in the club’s 2017 flag win, also played in the Demons’ reserves.

Nullawil has won premierships in every league it has competed in since World War II before the move to the North Central last year.

John Weston, who coached the club to four successive flags from 1975, accepted an offer from the club to speak to the Nullawil players before the match.

The contest looked over at the last change when Nullawil led by 41 points and all attention centred on the Wedderburn-Donald result that was still in the balance.

Pocket rocket Lucas Caccaviello starred with four goals and captain Jordy Humphreys, Matthew Wade and Rylee Smith dominated in the midfield.

Nullawil recruit Travis Cloke.

Former Collingwood player Travis Cloke had the goalkicking yips, but was still a big presence at centre half-forward.

Wycheproof-Narraport coach Wayne Mitrovic was devastated his proud club was going down without a fight.

It responded to his urgings with a flurry of goals to bridge the gap.

Had some missed chances been converted late the Demons would have recorded one last famous win.

“I said (to the player) is this the way we really want to go and finish the history of our jumper,” Mitrovic said.

“The way we played showed spirit.

“The ball bounced our way in the last and it was all on.

“We could have nearly pinched it at the end.”

Wycheproof-Narraport coach Wayne Mitrovic celebrates a goal late in the first quarter.

Club president Rick Allan, who also plays for Wycheproof-Narraport, was equally proud of the final quarter comeback.

“We didn’t win, but we showed what the club was about and sent the club off in the right way,” he said.

“We’re merging two very proud clubs.

“It’s going to be a rocky road and we’re just going to try and make it as smooth as possible.

“We’ve been able to hang on for a couple of years.

“Even last week we were able to beat the ladder leaders and today we were six goals down at three quarter time.”

Nullawil coach Darryl Wilson at three quarter time.

Nullawil coach Darryl Wilson has only been in the job one year and is staying on next season as co-coach with Nullawil captain Jordy Humphreys.

Pre-season expectations were sky high at Nullawil with a host of recruits added to a team that lost the grand final to Sea Lake-Nandaly last year.

“It’s hard to take,” Wilson said.

“These guys have been around the club for a lot longer than I have.

“But to feel what the footy clubs mean to this town and surrounding districts has been awesome to learn.

“It’s disappointing to get knocked out.

“We didn’t have a great run all year with consistency, injuries and unavailability.

“But I’m still proud of the boys.

“Some days you get there, some days you don’t.

“Today is just one of those days that hasn’t worked for us.

“We had our opportunity last week and didn’t take it.”