House debates

Wednesday, 16 June 2021

Statements by Members

Grey Electorate: Mortlock Shield

1:37 pm

Photo of Rowan RamseyRowan Ramsey (Grey, Liberal Party) Share this | | Hansard source

On Saturday I had the great pleasure of attending the Mortlock Shield on Eyre Peninsula. It started in 1936, so this is the 75th year—with interruptions for World War II and, last year, COVID. It is the longest-running regional Australian Rules football competition, not in Australia but in the world. Just think about that for a while! So it's a competition of quite some repute.

It traditionally accumulates the leagues of Eyre Peninsula to play off for bragging rights. The Port Lincoln league has for many years been cut into two, so they field two teams. This year we had a changed format, with the dissolution of one of our leagues. At various times we have had teams come in from Roxby Downs, from Kangaroo Island and even a team of 'ex-Eyre Peninsularians' who have come back as the EP Sharks—they won it a couple of years in a row there.

It was a great event. It was the first Mortlock Shield I've been to where I didn't need a ticket. We went all electronic this time round; that was interesting. Congratulations to Robyn Rowsell and her team who ran the competition. That was on Saturday. The shield was concluded on Monday. It was won by Great Flinders—they won their three games. On the Sunday, the Norwood Cup was run for the under-15s, and that also was won by Great Flinders. Well done to Port Lincoln and the team who run the Mortlock Shield.