The Ovens and Murray grand final is one of the major sporting events in the North East and this year it is dominated by Wangaratta clubs
It’s been 48 years since the two clubs met in a senior football decider so this will become another one for the history books, and no doubt Kevin Hill's blog.
Given the level of competition needed to stay in the race against the Albury/Wodonga clubs, it’s a testament to everyone involved.
From the footballers and netballers doing battle, and those who volunteer at the canteen, to the parents who drive their kids to practice each week and the teenagers who sacrifice their weekends for the game, and the sponsors and members, the involvement is community wide.
Forget the rivalry between the clubs, Sunday isn’t just about Magpies or Rovers, the rural city as a whole has skin in the game.
In a regional area such as ours, it’s generally impossible to be connected through a single thread, but everywhere you look in those taking part this weekend there are connections, from former schoolmates competing against each other, to the next generation of footballers and netballers following in their parents' footsteps, some even switching allegiances.
The cross pollination between the Rovers and the Magpies today highlights how those old rivalries can change, even if they will never disappear totally during winter.
And while we are all chuffed to see Wangaratta in the race, it is such a pity that our town won’t economically benefit more from the sheer number of people who will make their way to Lavington Sports Ground.
Maybe one day.