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Roving Ken’s record goal haul

Posted on September 2, 2011

By VINNIE RODI

EVERY sportsperson in the world boasts favourite moments from their careers, whether it be winning football premierships, claiming gold medals, or simply witnessing feats of individual brilliance.

ROVING SUCCESS: Mildura Football Club legend, and former Mildura Rovers Under 18 competitor, Ken Ellery, reminiscences about the day he kicked a record 26 goals, with this collection of old photographs bringing back a flood of memories from his junior playing days.

For long-time Mildura resident, and Mildura Football Club great Ken Ellery, 77, one of his greatest sporting moments occurred in 1951.

Lining up in the Mildura Rovers Football Club’s Under 18 side (a combined junior team made up of players from the Mildura High School and the local Catholic School), Ken – who was playing full-forward on the day – enjoyed one of the best outings of his junior career.

Playing against an Army Cadets team at Number One Oval, Ken managed to boot 26 goals that day, with the feat still believed to be unmatched in Sunraysia’s junior ranks nearly 50 years on.

A modest man, Ken admits the details of that day are a little fuzzy.

“I remember that it was just one of those times when everything went not only my way, but the team’s way,” he said.

“Back in those days the Under 18 competition was a school-based competition, with the Sunraysia Football League simply a seniors competition.

“I was lucky enough to play in a team that included some real champions, including Les Innes, Wes Mills, and a couple of other quality players.

“The delivery into the forward line was simply superb that day, and I was lucky enough to be on the receiving end of a few goals.”

It was an individual feat that capped off two brilliant years in Mildura Rovers colours for Ken, with the side winning back-to-back undefeated flags in 1950 and 1951.

In fact the side was considered so dominant, that it was asked to play against a combined Under 18 side, made up of players from across the school-based division, as a curtain-raiser to the 1950 SFL Grand Final.

A game everyone says the Rovers won.

“To be perfectly honest I can’t remember if we won or not,” Ken said. “But I’ve had a number of discussions about that curtain-raiser over the years, and each time it’s been agreed that our side won.

“It was a great honour to be asked to play in that game, and is something that I’ll always remember.”

It was in the following season (1952), that Ken decided to make the move to the Mildura Football Club, with that decision proving to be the best of his junior career.

He spent 40 years at the club as first a player – amassing more than 200 games – president, and member, and is even included in the club’s Team of Champions.

During his time as a player, Ken was fortunate enough to be a member of three premiership sides (1955, 1958, and 1960), while also going on to play representative footy with Sunraysia, and even participate in one of the first Country Football Championships – an event that now gives AFL scouts the chance to get up close and personal with regional talent prior to the AFL Draft.

His time as president of the club also yielded fantastic results, with Ken saying one of his fondest football memories includes watching his beloved club win the 1982 premiership.
“You can’t beat that moment,” he said. “We were playing Red Cliffs, and the game had been close all day.

“It was one of those fantastic games of football where you were just on the edge of your seat.

“We managed to win the flag with a kick after the siren, and it’s probably the most excited I’ve ever been.”

It wasn’t until 1993 that Ken decided to step away from any official role with the club, saying 40 years had proved enough.

“It was just time to involve myself in other things, and let some of the younger committee members have their turn,” he said.

“I still used to go watch the boys play, and even today follow their progress.

“I’ll always be a Mildura Football Club boy, and it’s still a place that holds special meaning for me.”

And while Ken will always be remembered for his contributions to the Demons, he will also go down in history as one of the only Under 18 players in SFL history to kick 26 goals in one game.

“I know that several members of that Mildura Rovers team are still around today, with several of the boys in the process of trying to organise a reunion,” he said.

“It would be great to get together with those guys again, and reminisce about two great years of junior footy.”

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