RUGBY League continues to make inroads into the region, with the last few years seeing the Limestone Coast Rugby League competition develop.
In Australian Rules territory the venture has not been easy.
This season saw the Blue Lake Knights continue the fight against last year’s premiers the Naracoorte Jets, the Horsham Panthers and two tough Warrnambool sides in the Raiders and the Gunditjmara Bulls.
It was anything but a leisurely season, with the Knights on the back foot early.
Injuries plagued the side, with many games seeing a bench depleted to one or none.
However, that did not stop the determined Blue Lake side, which included many personnel who had never played the game.
Big hits were the order of the season, with the inexperienced Mount Gambier players standing tall when required in a sport that takes no prisoners.
Time and experience began to reap rewards, with the Knights in with a shot of finals football.
As the minor season wound down the Knights began to find form, pushing sides higher up the ladder with some classy play and quality conversions.
But in the first round of finals a lapse in concentration let the Raiders in the door, with the Warrnambool side capitalising to claim a comfortable win and a grand final berth.
However, fellow South Australians the Jets would go on to claim back-to-back titles, with a two-point victory in the grand final.
In the washup it appears the Knights are set to continue and again push the code down south, with many in the roster keen to have another crack at the sport.
