There has been plenty of excitement in the region with East Gippsland’s involvement in the Brisbane Lions’ back-to-back AFL premiership win at the Melbourne Cricket Ground last Saturday.
Yarram/Sale product Josh Dunkley played in his third premiership in a career that has seen him reach the holy grail at the Western Bulldogs and Brisbane Lions (twice).
The recent winner of the AFL’s most courageous player award, Dunkley was part of the victory despite having a serious foot injury that will require surgery in the coming weeks.
The 28-year-old Dunkley is closing in on 200 AFL games, currently on 194 (116 with the Bulldogs and 78 with the Lions).
Jaspa Fletcher, who now has two medals in three seasons on the Lions’ list, is the son of former Maffra basketballer Narelle McConnell and grandson of Terry McConnell, who has tasted success as a member of the coaching panel at Maffra Football Netball Club numerous times over the past 20 years.
Narelle McConnell played 296 games in the Women’s National Basketball League, while Jasper’s dad Adrian Fletcher played 231 AFL games.
