One of local sport’s great survivors — the Cooma Cricket Club — is not fielding a side in the Goulburn Murray John McMahon Shield (A-grade) competition this season.

And that is a big shame.

Cooma Cricket Club dates back 127 years and since the 1970s has fielded a side in the top tier of competition in both the former Kyabram District Cricket Association and the Goulburn Campaspe competition in latter years.

Club stalwart Lachie Ranson, who has spent 49 years on the Cooma Cricket Club committee and is one of its longest-serving and best players in its history, said he felt gutted at the club’s decision not to field an A-grade side and admitted he was not sure whether it would again in the future.

‘‘I was the only one who voted against pulling out our A-grade side so I find it very disappointing,’’ he said.

But Lachie did concede a lot of leading players had left the club and the general opinion was that it would enjoy more success with teams in the minor grades.

Cooma has produced some of the best local cricketers over the years with Lachie, his son Paul (a four-time Jack Stone medallist in the former KDCA), John Wallis, Peter, Bill and Mick Fry, Peter Watson, Ashly Brown, Tony Kilmartin, Russ Napier, Michael Hill, Brayden Stone and Russell Barrett just a few names that spring to mind.

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Fire Brigade Cricket Club may not have an overseas player in its line-up this season.

The Flames were banking on South African pair Jordan Vanderberg and Jared Francis to boost their ranks.

But Vanderberg’s visa has been refused and the Brigade is waiting on the outcome of Francis’ visa application.

Francis is an allrounder and Vanderberg an opening bat and wicketkeeper.

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The GVL lost a former Morrison medallist with the recent death of Barry McCarty.

McCarty won the Morrison Medal in 1962 playing for his home club, Mooroopna.

He won four best and fairest awards with the Cats and represented the GVL.

He played over 200 senior games with Mooroopna, which qualified him for GVL life membership.

Tatura legend Freddo McMahon, who played in the same era, described Barry as a gifted, strong-marking utility player.

‘‘He played mainly at centre half forward and on the ball, and was a fair and brilliant player.’’

He was 83.

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Tom Holman has won Moama Football Club’s best and fairest award.

A multi Kyabram premiership player, Holman beat equal league O’Dwyer medallist Jack Russell for the award after a stellar first season with the Murray League Magpies in a key forward role.

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GVL clubs Shepparton United and Mansfield will both have new co-coaches in the 2025 footy season.

United has appointed Jesse Cucinotta and former player Trent Freer as joint coaches to replace Duane Hueston, who has stepped down.

At Mansfield current coach and former Gold Coast player Jack Hutchins — he played 19 games with the Suns between 2011 and 2014 — will share the role with long-time Eagles assistant coach Mitch Wareham.

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Former Carlton star and Echuca assistant coach Andrew Walker has stepped down as co-coach of the all-conquering Murray Bombers.

He wants to concentrate on family, with his talented footballing son Cody to play with the Bendigo Pioneers next season.

Echuca will again have Simon Maddox in charge, with Leo Tenace and Cameron Valentine to step up and join the senior coaching panel.

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Bendigo Pioneers’ best and fairest winner for the 2024 season has a Kyabram connection.

James Barrat, who won the award, is the son of former Kyabramite Peter Barrat and nephew of former Kyabram player Ray Barrat.

Most AFL clubs have contacted James with the draft coming up and he is expected to be an early draftee.

He was a noted goalkicker in Leitchville-Gunbower junior teams but made his mark as a defender with the Pioneers this season.

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Stanhope horseman Gary Pekin was relieved the course commentator got it wrong when he declared Barwen Storm a winner at last week’s Albury trots meeting.

Pekin was driving stable star Cresco Threepeat, who had put in a huge run to fight out the finish with Barwen Storm.

But the photo-finish revealed Barwen Storm had in fact been beaten by Cresco Threepeat, who made it 19 career wins when he got the verdict.

The eight-year-old has also 31 minor placings on his resume and is only just $2000 short of joining the $100,000 prize-money club.

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Wednesday, 20th December 2023

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