The decade pretty much had it all.
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What started with the back end of Ganmain-Grong Grong-Matong's golden era, finished with the reign of another Riverina League powerhouse in Wagga Tigers.
Droughts were broken, with memorable premiership wins for Narrandera (2012) and Leeton-Whitton (2017).
It saw the emergence of a new force in Collingullie-Glenfield Park. The Demons made the move from the Farrer League after their third straight flag in 2010.
They were quick to prove the doubters wrong and went on to become the most successful club of the decade, winning three premierships and playing off in six grand finals, from nine years.
Having watched the decade unfold as Riverina League writer, The Daily Advertiser sports editor Matt Malone has selected his Team of the Decade.
It was no easy task. The team chopped and changed a number of times but ultimately had to be settled.
The criteria was set at two seasons in the competition during the 10 years. You may notice the league's modern-day AFL stars are all missing.
It was decided to judge players on what they produced during their time in the competition, not what they have gone on to achieve, or the record upon arrival.
Zac Williams, Matt Kennedy, Harry Perryman, Harry Himmelberg, Harry Cunningham, Jacob Townsend, Mick Gibbons and Matt Flynn all kicked off their careers in the Riverina League but have gone on to bigger and better things.
Longevity was rewarded with a few players who made big impacts in a short amount of time among those unlucky to miss out.
So without further ado, here is our Riverina League Team of the Decade.
BACKLINE
Guy Orton (Griffith)
One of the best recruits to arrive in the Riverina in recent times. Orton won the Jim Quinn Medal in 2011 and 2012 and went on to coach Griffith and the league over a number of years. At his peak, he was a strong, dominant midfielder. Moved to defence in recent times and showed his versatility by occasionally playing on key forwards.
John Anstee (Wagga Tigers)
Anstee established himself as the premier defender in the competition through his six seasons at Wagga Tigers. He represented NSW by the age of 21 and went on to win a premiership with Tigers in 2016. He claimed many scalps of opposition key forwards but was also very effective with his rebound from defence.
Marshal Macauley (Coolamon)
Macauley has been one of the most consistent defenders in the competition over the past decade. A Hoppers best and fairest winner and premiership player, he always played with little respect for his own body. Another player who was a capable stopper, but his strength was his rebound and run from defence.
HALF-BACK LINE
Dan Kennedy (Collingullie-GP)
Another defender who has built an impressive body of work over the decade. Kennedy was part of all three of the Demons' premiership wins and was best-on-ground in the 2018 success. His ability to play tall and his aerial marking ability was a strength, which often turned defence into attack for Collingullie-GP. A laidback footballer but extremely talented.
Christen McPherson (GGGM)
The 2010 NSW captain, McPherson was an integral part of the Lions 2010 and 2011 premierships and arguably one of the greatest players in the competition's modern-day history. While he was getting towards the end of his career this decade, he still had a huge impact in the early years. A reliable centre-half-back with an uncanny ability to read the play and intercept mark, McPherson, the ultimate team man, also spent time as a capable centre-half-forward. Team captain.
Ben Curley (Leeton-Whitton)
The Tasmanian made a big impact during his seven seasons at Leeton Showground, winning a couple of club best and fairests. Curley was probably most at home across half-back but also spent considerable time through the midfield, where his ability to win the contested ball was a highlight. A tough, reliable backman that was rarely beaten. He retired after the Crows' drought-breaking premiership success in 2017.
CENTRELINE
Chris Gordon (Collingullie-GP)
Gordon spent four seasons in the Riverina League, winning two Jim Quinn Medals, he co-coached the Demons to a premiership in 2015 after playing in another the year before. An electric midfielder, Gordon was a big part of Collingullie's success as a hard-running, skilful on-baller that knew how to kick a goal.
Jayden Klemke (Collingullie-GP)
Another two-time Jim Quinn Medal winner from Collingullie-GP. Klemke found himself on the fringe at one stage during his early days at Crossroads Oval but eventually established himself as the premier player in the competition through sheer hard work. He had six years in the league, also winning two premierships and four club best and fairests. A hard-working on-baller that thrived on the contest.
Curtis Steele (GGGM)
The speed machine from the Lions. Steele was part of the back end of the Lions' golden era and found himself representing NSW as a younger. His explosive speed and booming kick made him a weapon for GGGM, with his ability to break the lines and tear a game open second to none.
HALF-FORWARD LINE
Jayden Kotzur (GGGM)
Kotzur spent three seasons at Ganmain Sportsground as coach and made a big impression on the competition. While he was unable to lead the Lions to any team success, there was no question surrounding his ability. He rarely wasted a disposal and could play half-back or half-forward, as well as the midfield. Winner of the 2015 Jim Quinn Medal and booted 89 goals over the three years.
Joe Redfern (Coolamon)
Redfern did it at both ends of the decade. He burst onto the scene as a talented, fresh-faced teenager early days and then has returned to Coolamon over the the last three years where he established himself as one of the premier forwards of the competition. Also returned 161 goals over six seasons.
Jamie Maddox (Coolamon)
The Hoppers co-coach has been one of the most consistent players over the last decade. A hard-at-it midfielder, Maddox shared the 2012 Jim Quinn Medal and captained the Hoppers to the 2013 premiership. A long-time league representative and captain, he won two club best and fairests and was a great leader.
FORWARD LINE
Brad Aiken (Collingullie-GP)
After dominating the Farrer League for the past decade, Aiken stepped up and showed the Riverina League his prowess. While it may have been the back end of his career, he still played in three premierships, won the Jim Quinn Medal in 2014 and kicked 177 goals. He also showed his versatility by playing off a half-back flank, as well as the midfield.
Marc Geppert (Collingullie-GP)
Geppert was the premier forward of the decade, kicking 478 goals from six seasons in the Riverina League. He won a premiership in 2018 and kicked 111 goals in the 2013 season alone. He was the competition's leading goalkicker on four occasions, with strong hands and a sublime left boot.
John Buchanan (Wagga Tigers, Collingullie-GP and Turvey Park)
Second on the goalkickers list for the decade with 326 goals from nine seasons. Buchanan made his biggest impact at Wagga Tigers (five seasons), where he won the competition's leading goalkicker in 2015 and 2016 and won a premiership in 2016. A big effort from a forward who often played undersize.
FOLLOWERS
Jacob Olsson (GGGM)
The standout big man of the competition over the past decade. He only missed the one season during that time and performed week in, week out. He was part of the Lions' two premierships, represented the state and won five club best and fairests. A brilliant player and loyal clubman.
Bryce O'Garey (Leeton-Whitton)
O'Garey stamped himself as one of the best players in the competition upon his arrival from Tasmania eight years ago and has not had a bad season since. The tough on-baller was best-on-ground in Leeton-Whitton's drought-breaking premiership, won a club best and fairest and been a regular on the Jim Quinn Medal final leaderboard.
Mick Duncan (Griffith)
Duncan has been one of the Riverina League's finest players of the decade, and the better part of the one before, too. A silky-skilled, clever midfielder that has been a match-winner for Griffith for a long time. He has slowed down a touch now but kicked over 100 goals for the decade, won four club best and fairests, represented NSW and was named in the Swans' Team of the Century.
INTERCHANGE
Will Griggs (Griffith)
One of the best players in the competition in recent years and a top leader who has led Griffith back to consecutive grand final appearances. Griggs has made a big impact in his four seasons at the Swans and was arguably at his most damaging when creating from defence, while also a very capable midfielder.
Daniel Rankin (GGGM)
A premiership coach of the Lions during their golden era, Rankin was one of the most accomplished players in the league during the early part of the decade. He won the 2010 Jim Quinn Medal by a record margin and had a terrific work rate as an on-baller that saw him enjoy great success.
Jarred Lane (Narrandera)
Lane was a standout for the Eagles during a tough period, highlighted by his 2018 Jim Quinn Medal win when Narrandera did not win a game. A talented utility that could play all over the ground, he found himself rucking most of the time with great aplomb. Lane won the club best and fairest in all three seasons at Narrandera and impressed when representing the league.
Shaun Campbell (Wagga Tigers)
Wagga Tigers' 2016 premiership coach, Campbell was one of the more impressive footballers to feature in the league over the decade. The hard-running midfielder was one of the more dominant on-ballers of the competition and that resulted in a lot of close attention from opposition teams. Also shone at rep level.
COACH
Shane Lenon (Collingullie-GP)
Lenon brought the Demons up from the Farrer League and set the club up for sustained success. He led Collingullie to their first Riverina League premiership, and made three grand finals and a preliminary final from four years in charge.
THE DAILY ADVERTISER'S RIVERINA LEAGUE TEAM OF THE DECADE - 2010-19
B: Guy Orton, John Anstee, Marshal Macauley
HB: Dan Kennedy, Christen McPherson (c), Ben Curley
C: Chris Gordon, Jayden Klemke, Curtis Steele
HF: Jayden Kotzur, Joe Redfern, Jamie Maddox
F: Brad Aiken, Marc Geppert, John Buchanan
Foll: Jacob Olsson, Bryce O'Garey, Mick Duncan
Inter: Will Griggs, Daniel Rankin, Jarred Lane, Shaun Campbell