To coincide with Collingullie’s 2008 premiership reunion last weekend, The Daily Advertiser has decided to look back on the decade since.
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Collingullie-Ashmont-Kapooka, as they were known back then, claimed the 2008 Farrer League premiership with a win over The Rock-Yerong Creek.
There has been plenty of success since for the team now referred to as Collingullie-Glenfield Park.
The 2008 premiership was the start of a Farrer League three-peat as the Demons followed it up with the 2009 and 2010 flags.
It prompted a move to the Riverina League, where the club is yet to miss finals since.
Collingullie claimed their first Riverina League premiership in 2014, then backed it up with another in 2015.
There has been a lot of good players through Crossroads Oval during that time and The Daily Advertiser’s Matt Malone has taken the task of rating the best eight in that period.
8. Josh Meiselbach
Josh Meiselbach was one of the most naturally talented footballers to grace Crossroads Oval over the past decade. Meiselbach established himself as one of the most athletic ruckmen in the Riverina from an early age and his ability to go forward made him a dangerous proposition for opposition teams. His athleticism and versatility also saw him used at centre-half-forward and centre-half-back during his career. Meiselbach was always very relaxed about his footy but was undoubtedly a match-winner.
7. Chris Gow
Chris Gow was the heart and soul of the Demons during his accomplished playing career. Only small in stature, Gow was Collingullie’s ‘captain courageous’ with his leadership an outstanding feature of his game. While there was no questioning his commitment, he was also a talented player that was equally as damaging on the outside, something that was highlighted by his Gerald Clear Medal win in 2005. A six-time premiership player and ultimate clubman.
6. Harry Perryman
Harry Perryman didn’t play many senior games at Collingullie but certainly made his mark. Perryman debuted as a 15-year-old in the Riverina League and played in two premierships as a teenager before being drafted by Greater Western Sydney (GWS). Since being picked up by the Giants, he has already amassed 13 AFL games in his first season and a half. Perryman showed his class from an early age and was very skilful whether it be in defence, through the midfield or up forward.
5. Matt Kennedy
Matt Kennedy was always destined for big things since bursting onto the scene like a seasoned pro at age 16. Kennedy took to senior football like a duck to water and quickly came under notice from those at higher levels. His ability to win contested ball, despite being so young, quickly made him stand out, as did his ability to take a strong mark and kick a goal. He was eventually drafted to GWS, and this season was traded to Carlton. Kennedy starred in two premierships at Collingullie and was also best on ground for Riverina League in a senior representative game at age 17.
4. Chris Gordon
Chris Gordon arrived at Collingullie from the Essendon and District Football League and wasted no time in showing just how talented he was. Gordon tied for the Jim Quinn Medal in 2012, his first season at Crossroads Oval, then won it outright in 2013 as he went back-to-back. His explosive speed and agility, combined with his sublime skills, made him arguably the best midfielder in Riverina League during his time at Collingullie. He spent four years at the club, won two premierships and co-coached the club to the 2015 flag alongside Brett Lenon.
3. Jayden Klemke
When Jayden Klemke arrived at Crossroads Oval as a fresh-faced teenager in 2013, not many would have predicted the player he would become. While talented, Klemke has worked hard over the years to become arguably the best midfielder in the Riverina League. He has enjoyed two premierships at the club and won back-to-back Jim Quinn Medals in 2016-17. Klemke is a bull at the contest and is a fantastic overhead mark who regularly goes forward and kick goals. He has achieved an extraordinary amount for a 23-year-old.
2. Marc Geppert
Marc Geppert will go down as one of the greatest full-forwards to ply his trade in AFL Riverina. He has kicked more than 700 goals for the Demons since arriving at the club in 2008, including 100 goal seasons in 2009, 2010 and 2013. Geppert played in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 premierships, then missed the club’s two Riverina League flags during a three-year stint at East Wagga-Kooringal. Geppert is hard to stop on the lead with good hands and has made his mark with a booming left foot.
1. Brad Aiken
It’s hard to go past Brad Aiken for number one. A club legend, Aiken won nine senior premierships during his time at Collingullie, five of which came from 2008 onwards. He won four league medals, two of which were in the last decade – the 2009 Gerald Clear Medal and the 2014 Jim Quinn Medal – both in premiership years. Aiken was destructive wherever he played, through the middle, up forward and, later in his career, across half-back. An astute football brain, brute strength and a raking left foot made Aiken one of the best footballers to play in the Riverina, let alone Crossroads Oval.