Picola United helps Terry sock it to cancer

Terry’s daughters, Clare and Emma Greaves, have been involved with United for a number of years both as coaches and players, and both were on the court on Saturday.

Emma said the club had been extremely supportive of their family and efforts to fundraise during the round 15 clash.

“We’ve been with Dad to both Melbourne and Albury for treatment over the last two years and both have had great staff and provide an excellent service,” Emma said.

“But Melbourne is so big that you feel like just another number, whereas in Albury you feel like part of the community.

“It’s so important to have facilities in regional areas that deal with local people.”

Mr Greaves, of Markwood, was first diagnosed with cancer 15 years ago, and experienced the challenges of having to travel long distances to receive treatment in Melbourne.

In 2020, his cancer returned and he has since received monthly treatment in Albury.

Mr Greaves said he was passionate about raising money for the cancer centre so more people in the region have access to treatment and facilities locally.

“I’ve experienced it first hand after having to travel to Melbourne every three months for five years,” he said.

“It is so much more convenient and stress-free being able to travel to Albury, which is just a two-hour return trip, compared to Melbourne which is six hours.”

Terry Socks it to Cancer was organised by Mr Greaves, in partnership with AFL North East Border.

To make an online donation, visit https://give.awcancertrust.org.au/fundraisers/terrygreaves134

While the fundraiser was a success, unfortunately for United, its netball and football sides could not come away with wins as they both fell to Katandra.

On the football field, the Kats were simply too strong for the Blues, jumping out to an early lead and never looking back as they cruised to an 83-point victory.

Katandra was up by 27 points at quarter-time and 28 at the main break before blowing the game wide open in the third term.

The Kats held United scoreless, booting six goals of their own to extend their lead. A 12-goal to three second half overall saw Katandra claim a comfortable 19.8 (122) to 6.3 (39) victory.

The result has a big impact for United and the race to finals — its loss, coupled with Jerilderie’s 56-point win over Berrigan, means the the Demons have moved inside the top eight at the expense of the Blues.

United sits in ninth spot on the ladder on 26 points, two points behind Katunga (sixth), Jerilderie (seventh) and Berrigan (eighth).

In the netball, United also suffered a defeat at the hands of Katandra, falling to the Kats 42-37.

Despite the loss, United is still sitting inside the top eight, but its position is under threat with three rounds to play.

The Blues are currently in sixth with seven wins on the board, but they are now only one game ahead of Katandra (seventh), Jerilderie (eighth), Rennie (ninth) and Tocumwal (10th).

United is still in a great spot to make the finals however, with its last three games coming against the bottom three sides on the ladder.

Elsewhere in the PDFNL, Stathmerton did the double against Mathoura, picking up a pair of large wins.

The Bulldogs were far too strong for the Timbercutters, winning 59-25 in the netball and claiming an emphatic 33.20 (218) to 1.0 (6) victory in the football.