Frank Dowling and grandson Lewis Taylor with their 1950 and 2022 premiership cup and medal.
Over the years, Frank Dowling and grandson Lewis Taylor have had many chats about football. But since September 17 this year, there has been a huge reason to expand the conversation.
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For on that date, Mulwala broke a 32-year premiership drought, beating Cobram at Moama in a thriller by three points, 7.5.47 to 6.8.44. Taylor was part of it and played well, contributing to his side’s history-making victory.
In 1954, Dowling received a premiership player cup after Mulwala defeated Burramine 8.10.58 to 6.9.45 by 13 points at the J C Lowe Oval Yarrawonga. Now 97-years of age, he starred in the history-making victory and was a model of consistency for years, subsequently winning Mulwala’s best and fairest award in 1954.
“I’m privileged to share the glory of a premiership with Pop,” 23-year-old landscaper ‘Lewi’ said.
“It’s not very often you get to play in a semi-final, let alone a grand-final.
“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, and I’ve always heard how good Pop was. David Rose calls him a legend.
“I’ve been called worse!” Dowling, the sole surviving member of the 1950 team, said.
“It’s good to see Mulwala win it this year. There’s unity in the club, the committee – they work in with the players.”
Lewis Taylor in action for the Lions.
Mulwala football manager Dale Ferguson praised Taylor who has overcome some injuries to be well thought of at Lonsdale Reserve.
“He’s a very fit boy, a lockdown type player but very fair, quite often going to the best opposition player, very effective. He covers the ground like a gazelle,” Ferguson said of the son of Russell and Kerryn.
Grandfather and grandson have plenty to talk about and the differences in style, like no kicking across goal, little to no handball and definitely not in the backline, and plenty of drop-kicks being features of yesterday’s game.
That is a far cry from today’s football which has taken on a professional outlook with players skilful on both sides of the body, an abundance of handball anywhere on the ground and no drop-kicks ‘allowed’.
There are some similarities, such as the number of brothers who played in the two premierships teams.
“There were four Bryants in our team,” Dowling said.
“We had three Wilson brothers and one of them James, has now played in four premierships with the fourths, thirds, reserves and seniors, which is a club record,” Taylor advised.
But the beauty of Aussie Rules fondly shared by Frank and Lewi relates to the subject of Mulwala premierships of which they were part, 72 years apart!
