From 1984 to 1986, the Benalla All Blacks thirds reigned supreme in Tungamah Football League, a period which is now rightly considered a golden era in club history, and one that was celebrated at the weekend, with the club hosting a 40-year reunion for the 1984 and 1986 thirds premiership sides, as well as the 1985 runners-up on Saturday.
All Blacks life member and reunion organiser Jamie Butterworth, himself a member of the 1986 premiership side, said the day was a brilliant way to recognise a significant period for the club that means so much to so many.
“It was a fairly big time in the history of the club, that mid ’80s was really strong, especially that era that we celebrated,” Butterworth said.
“So it was only a thirds side (celebrated at the weekend), that over three years won two flags and were runner-up in that middle one.
“I think we only lost four games in three years, it was a pretty successful team.”
It was 1984 that kick started the success, with the All Blacks defeating Katandra in the grand final by three goals, prevailing 7.4 (46) to 4.4 (28), only to lose out when the two sides faced off in a rematch the following year, ending 1985 as runners-up.
It brewed an intense rivalry between the two sides, who were the powerhouses of the competition, with Butterworth even comparing it to one of the most famous instances of hatred between two hugely successful AFL clubs.
“Katandra beat us in ’85 in that game that I talked about, which I don't like talking about too much because I missed the game” Butterworth said, having missed the 1985 decider through suspension.
“(But) back in the day, both ourselves, Katandra and Shepp East, but mainly (the All Blacks and) Katandra, they were like the Carlton and Collingwood of the era.
“Like I said, we lost four games in three years, it was a pretty good effort.”
The heartbreak of ’85 could have derailed everything, but instead it was sweet redemption in 1986, as the All Blacks went through the season undefeated, claiming the premiership with an 18.12 (120) to 6.3 (39) rout of Shepparton East in the decider.
While no doubt the highlights of those triumphs were relived over and over on Saturday, Butterworth said it was some of the off-field moments that stuck with him the most.
“Success and mateship,” he said, when asked what stood out across that three-year period.
“Success does breed mateship and so does failure too, but because we were quite successful, it really bred that (camaraderie).
“We were all mentored by a great guy by the name of John Rush, who only passed away last year, and he was a guy that mentored a lot of us through our teens and did a lot of work with kids on and off the field, and he was probably the driving force behind that era.
“People around the district know the late John Rush really well — I hate to use a loose phrase, but he was probably the godfather of all us young blokes.
“But we were quite successful across those three years and, like I said, I had mates that played at Benalla, I just chose to play at the Blacks because it was a bloody good environment.”
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