Sport
24 April, 2025
Cats premiers to reunite
THE laughter will be loud, the memories warm and the recalled grand final marks will “get higher” as the night goes on when Mortlake’s senior football premiership side of 1975 reunites tomorrow.
Former Cats player and long-time Mortlake resident Robbie Jewell will be one of more than a dozen players from the ’75 premiership side who will gather at the Mortlake clubrooms at DC Farran Reserve on Anzac Day to celebrate and reminisce.
“I’m really looking forward to catching up with old team-mates and having abit of a yarn while watching the footy," Jewell said.
“Unfortunately, a few players have died since that grand final, and a couple aren’t able to attend, but we’re expecting a pretty good turnout.
“No doubt there’ll be lots of tales told and memories shared. It was a great time for us, for the club and the town.”
Played at Friendlies Societies Park, the 1975 grand final saw Mortlake defeat Warrnambool 11.13.79 to 10.11.71.
The senior premiership broke a drought for the Cats, who had won a few flags in the 1930s but nothing since.
The Cats’ reserves were successful through the 1960s and 1970s bringing home half a dozen premierships.
“Some of us who played in the senior premiership in 1975 also played in the reserves premiership side a couple of seasons prior,” Jewell recalled.
Mortlake went on to merge with nearby Terang in 2001 (for the start of the 2002 season) to ensure the future of both clubs.
The Terang Mortlake Bloods will take on Cobden in Hampden League’s round four Anzac Day clash at Mortlake tomorrow (Friday).
The Bloods’ senior side will wear a commemorative Cats’ strip to honour the 1975 premiership side – with the jumpers to be sold at auction later that night.
“The jumper auction is also currently running on-line so anyone who would like a piece of Cats history can have the chance to grab themselves one of those jumpers,” Jewell said.
“There will also be an Anzac Day service, the bugle played and Julie Stewart-Murray will sing the national anthem.
“It will be a special day and it would be great to see the community come out and celebrate with us – while watching some great footy and netball.”
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