Led by coach Kim Wickham, the Hoppers produced an incredible comeback to claim one of the most memorable premierships the club has ever seen.
Wearing the famous green and gold, a determined group of country boys with renowned surnames such as Parish, Haebich, Campbell, Kreeck, Mifka, Doyle, Beggs, Bourke, Lonergan and Lawless refused to give in, delivering a finish that is still talked about 50 years later.
The final score saw Tungamah 14.21 (105) defeating Shepparton East 15.13 (103) at Congupna.
The honour board that year lists local football legend Les Parish as Tungamah’s leading goalkicker that year, with 89 goals, or 105 including finals.
Parish also won 1976 Lawless Family Medal as the Tungamah Football League best and fairest with 26 votes, ahead of Ross McKellar from Dookie on 22. He later went on to play for Fitzroy and Melbourne in the VFL before returning to Yarrawonga where he won a Morris Medal in 1986.
The celebrations that followed after the grand final were also legendary with the local pub apparently running out of beer. It wasn’t just a premiership; it was a day that became part of Tungamah folklore.
This Saturday (June 13) at the Jubilee Park, past players, coaches, supporters are invited to join the club to celebrate the 1976 Grand Final and honour one of the great moments in the history of the Tungamah Football Netball Club.
The celebrations will go from 12-2pm and the club will also recognise premiership reunions across other decades.
For $50 you can enjoy lunch and drinks and there will be a jumper auction after the football.
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