Birchip Celebrates Swans’ Sensational Success

“September 24, 1994, will surely rank as the greatest day in Birchip’s sporting history.” 

Those were the words of Shane O’Shea in the September 27, 1994, edition of “The Donald Birchip Times.” Shane was, of course, referring to an incredible North-Central grand final day that saw the Birchip Swans win the seniors and reserves football premierships.

Last Saturday at George Cartwright Oval, a large crowd of premiership players, committee members and volunteers journeyed to Birchip to celebrate 30 years on from that momentous day.

Prior to the senior game between Birchip-Watchem and Wedderburn, the Swans’ 1994 senior coach Paul Gadsden, reserves coach Andrew Lee, and president Robert “Hen” Warne raised the premiership flags where they flew proudly for the remainder of the day.

The current Birchip-Watchem committee provided afternoon tea in the Birchip Community Leisure Centre viewing room at half-time of the senior game, where an array of photos and news paper articles were on display. Players reminisced about the historic season 30 years prior, and while some players struggled to remember their grand final opponent, others could remember every kick they had for the season.

Following a successful day on the football field for Birchip-Watchem with all teams recording victories, the celebrations of the 1994 teams continued at the Leisure Centre. All in attendance enjoyed a fabulous evening meal before the team members in attendance were introduced to the crowd.

“Hen” Warne spoke first and thanked everyone for their support of the club at the time. He had fond memories of the lead-up to the 1994 season, where a committed and ambitious committee determinedly put together a playing list that could be successful on-field. 

Coaches
Key pillars in this plan were the recruitment of Paul Gadsden from Lake Boga to coach the seniors, and local football mastermind Andrew Lee taking the reins of the reserves. Not only would Paul and Andrew lead successful teams, but “Hen” recalled a social and enjoyable environment at the club, which all members enjoyed.

Reserves
Birchip-Watchem secretary Stephanie Coffey then 

introduced the 1994 reserves team. Stephanie recapped the team’s season, which culminated in being the first team in N-C.F.L. history to win a grand final that went to overtime.

The team had gone close the year before, defeated by Donald in the grand final. In 1994, the Royal Blues were again the Swans’ opponents in the season decider. The match was a titanic struggle all day. At quarter time the Swans were 6-3 to 3-1, and by three quarter time it was 7-6 each.  

At full time it was still a draw which meant they had to play another five minutes each end.  One behind apiece were kicked in the first five minutes. Then as time ticked down in the second five minute stanza, Birchip’s Aidy Connelly cramped in a forward pocket. Incredibly, it was moment of misfortune that was to work for, not against, the Swans.

On the spot advice from Birchip’s runner John Bond was more or less “You have to stay on, and you might as well work out the cramp in front of goal, rather than in the pocket.” Connelly limped to the goal front, grabbed the first opportunity that came his way, and hooked the goal that gave Birchip victory. Final score 8.7 to 7.7.

Coach of the team, Andrew Lee then took the microphone to add his thoughts. Andrew remembered what a strong reserves side it was, both on the field and culturally. His particular astonishment was the fact that of the 1991 under 16 junior premiership team he coached, fifteen of those players were playing in either the seniors or reserves premiership that fateful day. A true testament to the quality of young players they had in those times.

Seniors
Stephanie subsequently introduced senior coach Paul “Gaddo” Gadsden. “Gaddo” was a first time coach recruited from Lake Boga in 1993, and he became renowned for his motivational speeches. In the course of waiting for the reserves grand final to play out in extra time he got an opportunity to deliver three.

“Gaddo” then reminisced about the close-knit senior side and the attraction to Birchip for his first senior coaching role. “Gaddo” and his mate, Paul Kelly, came across from Lake Boga and they were impressed with the facilities Birchip had to offer and the strong community that supported them.  He also recalled it was a team full of locals with only four players from elsewhere. 

 In the grand final, Wycheproof-Narraport kicked the opening goal of the match before Birchip took control and wasn’t headed for the remainder of the contest. Many of the game’s best performers were in defence, which contributed to the relatively low scoring affair, but several important contributions were provided by those midfield and forward. Birchip recorded a comfortable victory,  11.11 (77) to  6.15 (51).

Each player and committee member was presented with a commemorative cap and photographs were taken for posterity. Reminiscing continued throughout the night while replays of both grand finals were played on the Leisure Centre’s big screen.

All involved expressed their joy at catching up with friends and teammates, past and present, and the opportunity to remember their success on the football field. Thirty years on Shane O’Shea’s words still ring true and in the annuls of Birchip sporting history that momentous day in 1994 will be hard to top.