The board of the SS&A Ovens & Murray Football Netball League last week announced the special guests set to attend the 2019 Grand Final at Norm Minns Oval, Wangaratta on Sunday 22nd September.
The Sydney Swans premiership-winning senior coach returns to the region for the leagues showcase event and will feature in a range of activities across the day, including the O&M’s Parade of Champions prior to the commencement of the SS&A Cup senior football grand final.
“I’m excited to get back to the region for this year’s O&M Grand Final, it’s always been one of the premier competitions in regional Victoria and I have great memories of my playing days at Corowa-Rutherglen,” said Longmire.
“Hopefully I can see my old club lift some silverware on the netball court, they’ve enjoyed a successful season to date across the senior grades.
“Grand Final is a fantastic day, I’m looking forward to joining this year’s Hall of Fame inductees in the Parade of Champions and being involved in the league’s premier event.”
As a player, John, or better known colloquially as ‘Horse’, began his career at Corowa-Rutherglen where he won a league goal kicking award.
He ran out in 200 games for North Melbourne from 1988-1999, including playing in the 1999 Premiership. He became the youngest ever Coleman medalist in 1990 at the age of 19 and was North’s leading goal kicker from 1990-1994.
Longmire joined the Swans as an assistant coach in 2002 and was part of the drought-breaking premiership win in 2005. Ahead of the 2011 season, Longmire succeeded Paul Roos as the club’s senior coach.
Under Longmire’s leadership Sydney has played in three Grand Finals and achieved premiership success in 2012. In 2019, Longmire surpassed Paul Roos’ record to become the club’s longest serving senior coach.
He is a Sydney Swans, North Melbourne and AFL Life Member.
Joining Longmire is another former O&M star in 2014 Toni Wilson Medallist Jacqui Newton.
The North Albury defender has gone on to play State League with City West Falcons and this year captained Victoria Fury to the Premiership in the Australian Netball League.
Jacqui is now part of the Melbourne Vixens and is the first O&M player to reach the highest level of netball competition.
