1985 Grand Finals at Narrandera Sports Ground  

Wagga and Coolamon in thrilling draw. The second in three years

An agonising draw in the Riverina Football League's Grand Final, the second in three years

Coolamon and Wagga will be back at Narrandera Sportsground next Sunday doing it all again after slogging out a gripping 16.15.111-all tie in yesterdays decider. A crowd which paid more than $17,000 at the gate, a record for any local league, saw a dramatic finish with Coolamon levelling the scores with two minutes remaining. No team could break the deadlock but Coolamon's most experienced player, Garry Buchanan, took a set shot as the fulltime siren blasted with his kick falling short. For Coolamon players, the draw was nothing new.They remembered all too well the 117-all draw they fought out with East Wagga-Kooringal in 1983 before winning the replay and the premiership.

"Annoying." was the Coolamon coach Neil Pleming's comment on the result.

"I don't want to talk about it." was the reaction of Wagga leader Herman Van De Beek.

Coolamon's David Gillett, who kicked the last two goals of the game, thought he had the best solution.

"Ten minutes extra each way would be better than having to go through that again." he offered.

1st Grade

Umpires: W Hinton (VFL) and R Wright (AUL)

Gate: $17,100 (record)

Crowd: 5,500

Goals

Coolamon:

Wagga:

Coolamon:

Wagga:  

The Daily Advertiser, Monday, September 23, 1985

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