Buchan sprung the first surprise of the Omeo District Football Netball League (ODFNL) season defeating reigning premier Omeo Benambra for the first time in nine years at the Buchan Recreation Reserve last Saturday.
It was Gavan Campbell Memorial Day and the match was played with plenty of emotion and spirit, the scenes after the siren a testament of what the day and the victory means to the Cavemen.
The Cavemen were keen to finally breakthrough for a victory over the highly-rated Alpine Ranges and make a statement that they aren’t going to be easybeats in the competition in 2025.
Known to many as the “Gav Game”, the match has been part of the fabric since 2013, and was formed by Gav’s daughter Sally after his sudden passing in 2013, with the support of the Buchan and Omeo Benambra Football Netball Clubs.
Campbell’s love and commitment to the Buchan Football Netball Club (BFNL) saw him play 136 games, highlighted by a best and fairest (1978) and a premiership (1983).
His dedication to the club saw him best clubman in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1999 and 2010, he also coached the club and did four years as club president.
Campbell was also a life member of the BFNC and ODFNL.
The Cavemen came to play, blowing the Ranges out of the water in the first term with five unanswered goals, maintaining the focus and the attack on the football in the second term to lead by 44 points at the long break.
The second half was a much more even contest, with
plenty of weary players when the siren finally sounded, with the Cavemen elated
37-point winners.
Buchan coach Chris Mathers was delighted to finally get that elusive victory.
“We haven’t beaten Omeo for nine years, the Gav Campbell game is always a huge day for the club, to
win is pretty special,” Mathers said.
Tyson Siddle (six goals), Cameron Edwards, impressive Northern Territory talent Joshua McCarthy, James Woodgate, ruckman Michael Stevenson and Justin Hunt (four) where all outstanding contributors for the Buchan.
Edwards was the winner of the Gavan Campbell medal.
The Ranges were well served by Brandon Betts, Ryan Coles, Aiden Hayward, Brady Pendergast and
Jacob Tomkins.
Buchan will be hoping it can maintain its form when it ventures to Bruthen for the local derby, though they have copped some significant injuries in last week’s
victory, and will be up against it tackling the 2025 premiership favourite.
Omeo Benambra will be hoping to bounce back when it hosts Swan Reach, but the Swans are playing a fast free-flowing brand of football and will probably be too slick at this stage of the season for the Ranges who do look a shadow of their premiership season in 2024.
