Bring it on: Mark Lambourn has been reappointed as GVL interleague coach, set to lead the side in 2024 alongside Sam Reid.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
Can interleague representation lead to playing AFL football?
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Goulburn Valley League representative coach Mark Lambourn says ‘‘why not’’ after being reappointed for the 2024 assignment of prising the Ash-Wilson Trophy from the Ovens and Murray League’s grip.
Lambourn oversaw the boys in purple and gold in 2023, bowing out to their country rival 13.14 (92) to 13.7 (85) in May.
He now stands alongside Echuca premiership co-coach Sam Reid as the men tasked with bringing the cup back to the Goulburn Valley for the first time in more than a decade.
But it’s not just about results.
Lambourn took a microscope to the concept of interleague, indicating its power as a pathway to bigger and better things.
“This is a part of recognising GVL as one of the best in country Victoria and you only have to see the quality of players that have been attracted to it this year,” he said.
“We want to use this as an opportunity for clubs to recruit players as well and recognise the league is such a good standard.
“It’s also a springboard of attack for those VFL players that may have missed out on a draft, but can go and play good footy, make a representative team and get recognised in that.
“It may be a back door into an opportunity of playing AFL football.”
One man who knows about playing at the top level is Lambourn’s new confidante, Reid.
The Echuca leader played more than 100 games in the AFL for Greater Western Sydney and Western Bulldogs and was involved in the interleague squad earlier in the year before injury derailed his chances of donning GVL colours.
Taking it on: Echuca's Sam Reid will serve alongside Mark Lambourn as GVL interleague coach next year.
Photo by
Aydin Payne
“I was really keen to play in it last year,” Reid said.
“I think rep footy, in general, has dropped away and every time I talk to older guys, especially the old man, they talk about how much it meant to them back in the day.
“All these young guys should be trying to play at the highest level they can and representing your league against another like O&M should be seen as something you cherish.
“It happened pretty quickly. I had a meeting with the board and presented my thoughts on what we could improve and stuff that worked.
“I’m super excited to get involved and pick the best team we have. We haven’t beaten them (O&M) for a few years, so we want to get out there and give it to them.”
Lambourn hoped Reid’s appointment would be a drawcard for players to want to throw their hat in the ring.
It’s another pointer to the age-old flame of interleague burning bright again, reigniting excitement around a tradition that hung by a thread not long ago.
“Last year, the team that played on the day, the buy-in from them was amazing. It was really encouraging to see there is life in interleague football and it’s still breathing,” Lambourn said.
“It’s the cream of the crop playing against Ovens and Murray’s cream of the crop; we’ve just got this amazing, really great rivalry between them.
“We’ve been on the harsh end over the last couple of years, so there’s some real desperation for us to stamp our authority and maybe get the bragging rights for a year too.”
