Rich history of Goulburn Valley father-sons

Collingwood’s Daicos brothers and Will Ashcroft (Brisbane Lions son of Marcus) have thrust the long standing AFL recruiting rule into the spotlight after decades of star sons have followed in the footsteps of their fathers - see the Abletts, Fletchers, Watsons, Liberatores, Hawkins, Hudsons and Silvagnis, who have a three generational connection to Carlton through Sergio, Stephen and Jack.

My selection process started with the coaches and Des Campbell was a walk-up start as coach of the ‘’Fathers’’ team when I made the decision to assign mentors to the teams.

Campbell’s sons Brad and Blake were stars of the GVL competition, both originally with Tongala and later both Shepparton and Mooroopna.

Brad played in the 1991 GVL grand final with Tongala as a 15-year-old, played in premiership side for Melbourne reserves, then a Kyabram premiership in 1996.

He then coached Mooroopna to a grand final.

Des coached the GVL for a year, spent five years with Tongala (for back to back premierships) and coached Kyabram for two seasons, having coached Shepparton United in 1973-74 and 1980-82. In all he had four flags as a coach and played in one as a 17-year-old with Shepparton United.

Roland coached Shepparton United, Shepparton and Tatura, as well as the GVL representative team.

As for the “Sons’’ team there are four current (or recent) Goulburn Valley league coaches who either have sons playing today or were themselves sons of former GVL stars.

Seymour coach Ben Davey and Shepparton Bears co-coach Xavier Stevenson, former Euroa coach David Gleeson (all three fathers of current players) and Ash Watson (son of 300-gamer Bruce) are my picks to lead the new generation.

Here’s what my research uncovered about the fathers and sons (who are currently playing senior football in the Goulburn Valley):

Kyabram

Kyle Mueller headlines the list of modern day father-son products in Kyabram’s senior football ranks, this season re-producing the form of his league leading goalkicker season of 2019.

High leaping Kyle, whose brother Cade is sitting on the sidelines after a knee reconstruction, is the son of hard-nosed defender and swing-man Brad Mueller.

Brad Mueller won Bombers most couragerous a number of times while wearing the red and black.

Paul Burnett, still heavily involved with the club’s senior side, is father of Tom. Paul Burnett played at South Warrnambool before buying a Merrigum property. He is a former coach of the Bombers and also led Lancaster.

Russ Morgan, father of 250-gamer and current senior captain Jason, played 20 games with the Bombers earlier in his career before becoming a decorated Kyabram disrict league key forward.

Justin Barnett, father of Bendigo Pioneer Charlie, won a reserves best and fairest and was in and out of the senior team before making a name for himself as a big bodied mid-fielder with Lancaster

Hayden Gemmill’s father, Craig, was a ruckman who played most of his football with Tongala before coming to Kyabram late in his career.

Col Robinson, a star ruckman with Merrigum and Stanhope, is father of Aidan. Robinson Senior played a couple of senior games with Kyabram seniors before being injured and then enjoyed a long career in the Kyabram league.

Mark Dillon, another former reserve grade best and fairest, is father of Josh and Mark Ogden (who arrived post playing days at Kyabram, but coached the Under 18 team) is father of premiership player Liam.

Rob Whitford, father of fleet footed half back Brad, came to Kyabram and played reserves late in his career, after being considered a star of Gippsland football

Russ Mclay, father of Billy, was a very good under age footballer, who went to Merrigum

Peter Holman, father of Tom, Nick and Ben, came from Bamawm and Nanneella and also played at Girgarre.

Rochester

Goulburn Valley league games record holder, Anthony “Tank’’ McPhee is the son of former rising star Adam, who debuted with the Tigers while playing with the Bendigo Pioneers way back in 2018.

He is a smaller version of his hard leading and strong marking father, who was a star goalkicker for the Tigers in several of their strongest teams.

McPhee has another son, Harrison, who has also played senior football.

Brendan Atley is the father of Shaun, Joe and Jacob, the former who returned to play a sesaon with Rochester after a decade of playing at the top level with North Melbourne.

Brendan was an outside running player who had two stints with the Tigers and also played at Stanhope. He is a different player to defensive minded intercept marking Jacob and rugged mid-fieder Joe.

Bruce Watson is a 300-game player with Rochester and the father of current coach, and former Morrison Medallist, Ash.

Shepp Swans

The Swans probably boast the most significant ‘’family ties’’ between the past and present, starting with the current president of the club, Jarrod Sutherland.

His son Tye is also a ruckman who has progressed through the junior ranks, a member of the grand final team of 2023, who has folowed in the footsteps of his 2002 Goulburn Valley league best and fairest winning father. Tye made his debut in 2021 and has played six games this season.

Jason Rachele, best on ground for a GVL team coached to victory against the Bendigo league by Des Campbell in 2001, and his brother Mark both have boys playing with their old club. Nathan Rachele, the Swans full forward and captain, is playing alongside Liam, Lucas and Isaac.

Dashing half back Steve Pedretti’s son, Mason’s, debuted way back in 2018 and plays a lot like his dad, while Kade Alper is the son of Danny Alper (a former Tatura senior player) who married decorated netballer Jo Pedretti.

Robbie Auld, a former Tatura premiership player, current senior figure in the AFL, previous assistant coach to Swans coach Paul Hawke and last year’s Under 18 coach, has son James in the Swans line-up.

Winger Diesel Batey is the son of former Swans player Fred, while Murray Bushrangers squad member Mitchell Grumley is the son of current Swans assistant coach Simon - a former Tatura player.

Christian Georgiou’s dad Mark is in the Swans senior team, as is forward Billy Jones (father Boyd), as is forward Steele Simpson (father Brad and uncle Luke played at the club) and on-baller Harrison Mazella, who played his first senior game a couple of weeks ago and is the son of Paul.

Joeve Cooper is the son of two time league leading goalkicker Brenton Cooper, while Will Dwyer's mother is Leonie Best, whose brother is former star Rohan - a cousin of Jarrod, Daniel and Hayden, who all played at the club.

Enrique Goggin also has a family history with the club through former hard-nosed ruckman Peter, while Greg Clohesy (a player from the early 2000s) has sons Zac and Max in the senior sqaud.

Seymour

Lions ruckman William Brock has returned to the club after graduating from junior ranks in 2013. He is the father of former key forward Darren Brock, who was also a leading goalkicker in the Kyabram district league.

Tom Davey and brother twin Nic, who played 14 games last year are the son of modern day coach Ben Davey.

Alex Elliott is the son of former Lions ruckman Peter Elliott and grandson of former Seymour and Footscray ruckman Trevor. Alex graduated from under age ranks last season and has played five games this season.

Mooroopna

Keelin and Liam Betson headline the the list of father-son Cats, both taller than their father ruckman Mick who played 90 games with the club and was an under age representative player.

While Keelin is more of a forward, Liam is considered among the top ruckman in the league.

Kai Madgwick debuted as a 16-year-old with the Cats, following in the footsteps of his goalsneak father 165 game, two time premiership player and life member father, Jamie. Kelly Magwick, a sister to Kai, played netball for the Cats

While not a former senior GVL footbaler, Nick Dugliotti, father of Dom rates a mention due to his officiating role at senior level. He was another to debut as a teenager with the Cats.

Ben Drummond, father of recently returned AFL product Nathan, played senior football with Mooroopna and also coached at junior level. His mother Leonie was an A grade premiership netballer for Mooroopna.

Ben Hicks’ father, Steve, has an important off-field role with the club, but his late father Paddy (grandfather of Ben) was the 1961 Mooroopna best and fairest winner. Ben Hicks is the team’s vice captain and wears the number 22 guernsey in honour of his grandfather, whoplayed 125 games at the club.

Bill Dowling, presdident of the club is father of Isaac is the son of current president.

Glenn James, father of Murray Bushrangers star Coby, is vice president of the club. Coby has played three senior games for the club

Jenny Wood, mother of Ged and Ben Woods, is another former netball premiership player and their father James is the club’s head trainer.

An extensive list also includes Jack Lear (father Peter), Reed Maskell-Dobbyn (father Mark), Kane and Kydan Atkinson (fathers RIcky and Kyle) and Toby Williams (son of Dean, current senior team manager). All have father-son playing connections to the club.

Shepparton

Shepparton co-coach Xavier Stevenson is the son of a former Bear Phil, who was also a premiership coach with Tungamah.

Leading goalkicker Anthony Andronaco is the son of former Kyabram league star Fred and, while on the subject of goalkickers, Brenton Cooper also has a son in the Bears senior line-up.

Jhett Cooper’s father won league goalkicking awards while playing with Shepparotn United (128 in 1997) and Benalla (90 in 2002). Jhett, a former Murray Bushranger, played his first senior GVL game with United before crossing to Shepparton.

Darryl Brett played at Shepparton in the late 1980s and his son Mitchell is captain of the Bears - having played his first senior game way back in 2013.

Mark Metcalf played senior football at Rochester, his son Zac made his senior GVL debut last season at Shepparton.

In another cross club connection Ned Byrne, whose father “Diner’’ played at Euroa, has played 10 senior games in the last two years despite still being eligible for Under 18 competition.

Echuca

Echuca Football Netball Club legend Ash Byrne, a former premiershp key forward, has wached the progress of his sons Angus and Hugh closely.

Elder brother Angus was a member of last year’s premiership team, but has played every game with Geelong in the VFL this season, and teenage brother Hugh (who played two senior games last season and was best on ground in the Under 18 grand final) has made three senior appearances this year while playing predominantly with the Bendigo Pioneers (kicking 11 goals in seven games for Pioneers)

Brendan Hogan, a strong on-ball player from the past, has watched his son Keiran play seven senior games this season after managing just two last year.

Cooper Barber’s late father Jonathon played his football at Moama, while Leo Tenace (Under 18 premiersip coach) played at Echuca United and is he father of ruckman/forward Liam.

Geoff Reid’s sons Sam and Ben are key players in Echuca’s bid for back to back titles. Sam has kicked 18 goals this season and leads several statistical categories in the league.

Rob Walker is the father of premiership co-coach Andrew, who since finishing his 202 game career at Carlton, has led the club to a dominant GVL (albeit COVID impacted) period.

Walker's eldest son Cody was a member of Echuca’s Under 16 premiership last season and is a bottom age player in the Under 18 squad this year.

Tony Anderson’s son Corbin, along with Peter Monahan’s three sons Tom, Will (captain of the senior team) and Seb continue the significant list of father and son footballers.

David Bruns, a star player with the Murray Bombers, has sons Zac, Elijah and Jacob at the club.

Benalla

John “Shorty’’ Marinello played a record 316 games of senior football with Benalla across two leagues, the Ovens and Murray and Goulburn Valley.

His sons, James and William, have continued the dynasty, the latter winning the 2014 Morrison Medal. His father was also a league medallist in two leagues and is also an O&M league hall of fame member.

Another set of brothers, Nick and Josh Mellington, are the sons of former player David. Josh kicked 111 goals when Benalla won the GVL flag in 2015, ending a drought that stetched back to 1973.

Nick Mellington, prior to this year, last played senior football at Benalla in 2015 before playing in the VFL with Richmond, Coburg and Williamstown. he is a former Murray Bushranger

Peter Bennett, who is on the club board, has son Tom in the senior line-up

Ray Guppy’s son Jayden is back at the club, while Under 18 Rory Salmon’s grandfather Bill coached Benalla in the Ovens and Murray.

Mansfield

Club president Ray Robinson recalled with pride the fathers of modern day sons who led the club during a golden era of Tungamah league football.

“The great thing is that they are all still involved with the club,” he said.

Mansfield’s last premiership in the GVL was 2009, coached to the title by current Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly, so few of the modern age have experienced premiership flory.

Sam Thomson is the much smaller son of club legend Christian “Fish’’ Thomson, who was a star when the club first joined the GVL.

Paddy Marks’ father Stephen was a Tungamah league star when the club won three premierships and never finished out of the finals.

Harry and Max Mahoney are the sons of former 1980s winger Bill, who have similar playing traits to their father.

Ben and Jack Christopher’s father, Bo, was a mid-fielder who was a lot shorter than his sons. Ben has kicked 23 goals in nine games this season

Their cousin Lachie Christopher, is the son of another former player - Paul. The trio wear jumper numbers 11, 12 and 13 to further add to the confusion for spectators.

Nate Buchanan is the son of Robbie, while Tom Sheahan is the son of former coach and current GVL selector Dion.

Tom Dunstan’s father Scott is another of the famous 1980s line-up, while the club is looking forward of the potential return of Ken Cousins’ son James.

He was drafted to Hawthorn after winning the Murray Bushrangers best and faires tin 2016 and played 10 games in 2021 before being deslisted.

Euroa

Euroa captain Jacob Gleeson, brothers Max and Zac, along with cousin Jayden all played in the same team against Benalla in round two. David Gleeson, father of Jacob, Max and Zac, has coached the Magpies in two stints. He never played for Euroa, but played 300 games for Bundoora and is still playing superrules.

In one match this season the club had five sets of brothers playing in the senior side, Gleesons, Trotters (Nate and Jett), Giobbis (Ben and Adam), Hills (Lachlan and Ryan) and the Hayes, JD and Will.

Scott Trotter is father of Nate and Jett Trotter. Scott is one of 11 children, including six brothers Rat Trotter Jnr, John, Ian, Kane and Ryan.

Andrew Hill is father of Ryan and Lachlan Hill, along with Nicholas, who is in the Magpies reserves. Andrew is also the Under 18 coach and played a handful of senior games with Euroa. His father, and the boys grandfather, Kevin played 200 and was a member of three premierships in the Waranga North East league. He was at the game two weeks ago, marking the 60th anniversary of 1963 premierships, which he played in.

Nic Burke is the son of1990 senior premiership Chris. His older brother, Tom, also played with the Magpies and is now playing at Geelong.

Darby Wilson’s father Jason played almost 200 games for the Magpies and his uncle is a former Euroa star Hayden Lamaro.

Tatura

At the Bulldogs Michael Archer is following in the footsteps of Dene’s son and Brett Archer, who both played in good Tatura teams. Brett’s son Bailey played previously.

Christopher Ryan is the son of Peter “Buggs’’ Ryan, who won Abikhair medal, while the Nihill (James) is son of Tim (coached reserves at Tatura, brother of John) and Cooper (Billy, son of Neil) names have long lasting connections to the club.

Jacob Chessells is the son of Steve, who was an undersized ruckman, while Will Pyke is the son of Jim Pyke, who was also a ruckman/forward.

Shepp United

The Serra name is continuing to live on through Joel and Liam, the pair maintaining the respect that John and Paul Serra had in football circles during their playing days.

Xavier Trevaskis is the father of Mitchell and Kale Gibson’s father Russell was also a decorated senior footballer in the league.