So powerful the team, in fact, that Johnny Brunner didn’t squeeze into the starting 18, with Hayden Bunton first rover, changing with Tim Lowe. But what an interchange player!
Parish and Brunner were Yarrawonga’s two representatives in the SS&A O and M’s Team of the Century 1893-1992 announced last Sunday night at the SS&A Club in Albury, by selection chairman Ron Montgomery.
Parish played 154 games with the Pigeons, winning the club’s best and fairest award five times, in 1977, 1978, 1979, 1986 and 1987, won the league’s highest individual award, the Morris Medal in 1986 and was an O and M representative, VCFL representative and coached Yarrawonga in 1988.
The brilliant left-footer played 87 games with Fitzroy, seven with Melbourne, led Cobram to flags. Sadly, Salty passed away with cancer in 1998, aged 43-years-of-age.
Salty’s son Chris went centre stage to receive the large framed certificate acknowledging his dad’s selection.
Chris’s recollections of his dad were his last playing years, at Cobram days. “I always heard he was a very popular person,” Chris said. “It’s always nice to hear nice words about dad.”
When asked if he had a sense of what his dad achieved, Chris said “Yes, absolutely.”
Johnny Brunner played 162 games with Yarrawonga, won two club best and fairests, in 1989 and 1991, was a member of the 1989 Neil Davis-coached premiership, won the league’s highest individual award, the Morris Medal three times, in 1988, 1989 and 2000 and was an O and M, and VCFL representative.
Yarrawonga Football Netball Club President Scott Jacques accepted the award on Johnny’s behalf. “He couldn’t be here but wanted to relay his appreciation to the Ovens and Murray League,” the president said.
“Johnny was super humble about his selection and was a tremendous player for us and the league.”
The Team of the Century dinner was a marvellous night with about 290 in attendance. The organisation committee was headed up by well-known Yarrawonga identity Des Lonergan representing the O and M Board.
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