Picture: JAMES MURPHY
THE “general”, “coach”, “Digga” – Steve Duldig has been known by a few names in the red, black and white of the Millicent Saints, but premiership player must be his new favourite.
After 300-plus senior games for his beloved club, Duldig – once named Australia’s best country footballer – and his fellow Saints finally marched into the Western Border history books with a four-point win over East Gambier at McDonald Park on Saturday.
The thrilling win ended a 34-year drought for the club, made even sweeter for Duldig as brother Matt – a former South Australian National Football League player – returned for a full season alongside his sibling, albeit at opposite ends of the ground.
“It was pretty special to win a premiership with Matt,” Steve said yesterday, amidst Mad Monday celebrations in the Blue Lake city.
“We have not had the chance to play much footy together throughout the years, so to even have him playing this year was amazing,” he said.
The strong family links within the Millicent Football Netball Club were highlighted even further as Duldig’s wife Lisa was named best-on-court in the Saints’ historic 10th consecutive A Grade netball premiership, bouncing back from a North Gambier challenge to win 41-35.
Millicent has been the benchmark of Western Border netball for much of the 21st century and the decade of domination was icing on the cake for the Duldig family.
“It feels pretty good to win as a family, alongside my wife Lisa winning their 10th in a row,” he said.
“It has been a wild weekend in Millicent and with presentations this week, I do not think it will slow down.”
Around 4600 people attended the Western Border finale, bringing in an estimated $43,200 at the gate.
• Full coverage in today’s sports section and special lift-out.
