DAIRYFARMERS are well-known for kicking a few goals at milking time, shrugging off opposition from the weather and tackling the tough jobs around the farm.
So it's little wonder many of them have become famous for playing football at the highest level.
Now the big question is – who are the best dairyfarmers to play in the VFL/AFL during the past century?
All will be revealed when the final 'AFL/VFF Blokes Who Grew Up On Dairy Farms Team Of The Century' is named at the south-west Victorian Young Dairy Development Program's annual Milk It 4 More expo at Glenormiston on August 23.
Nominations are now being sought for the final team.
Melbourne-based writer and broadcaster John Harms, who has a strong interest in grass-roots football and with Paul Daffey has recently released Footy Town, a book of yarns about local footy, came up with the concept when he attended a United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president's dinner at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March.
“I was thinking of ways to keep the group of dairyfarmers amused and given that the dinner was going to be at the MCG and that Scott Lucas, a terrific player at Essendon for over a decade, was going to be the guest of honour, I thought I should go in search of those VFL and AFL players who had grown up on dairy farms, just as Scott had,” Mr Harms said.
He called for nominations at the sports writing site www.footyalmanac.com.au, and soon had more than 30 names up for selection, including stars like Francis Bourke, Peter Knights, Paul Couch, Ronnie Wearmouth, Stephen Theodore and John Devine.
Mr Harms presented a provisional team to the UDV dinner, but quickly learned many other potential inductees had been overlooked.
"It started out as a bit of a laugh but soon grew from there. It struck a chord with the audience and there were a lot of different names being bandied around," he said.
The eligibility criteria isn't too strict – basically anyone who grew up on a dairy farm is in the mix – which means the selectors need help in tracking down possible team members.
Nominations can be lodged at www.footyalmanac.com.au.
Milk It 4 More is a one day event designed to equip young dairyfarmers and service providers with information, contacts and skills to progress their careers.
South West YDDP co-ordinator Liza Fahey said unveiling the dairy football team would be an added bonus for the expo.
Details: yddp@westvic.com.au
