Time to hit the retirement paddock: Payney’s Punt calls it a day

This is a special Payney’s Punt, for it is going to be one of the last editions that I write.

My time at The News is coming to an end, five years since it begun as a fresh-out-of-university sports cadet all those years and seasons ago.

So, the team here at Payney’s Punt thought it would be fitting to look back at my top sporting ― and sometimes not sporting ― moments since I arrived in the Goulburn Valley from south-west Victoria.

I have been extremely fortunate to land a job that I dreamed of back when I started reading sport sections in newspapers as a youngster at my parents’ pub — shout out to Pam and Trev at the Boggy Creek Pub.

That is an establishment where you will see my face pop up in over the coming months, and no longer popping up on a cartoon Mexican man ― which has somehow remained the face of this column for the past four years.

When I look back on my years at The News, there’s an enormous amount of fondness and fulfilment (let’s just not speak of that coronavirus pandemic, it still gives me dees).

Having grown up in the country, I always wanted to highlight and showcase similar stories that I grew up hearing about.

Those extraordinary successes and sometimes heartaches of athletes, teams, sporting clubs and volunteers in the regions ― they are why we do what we do.

They are the stories that matter to the regional community and I’d be lying if I said they didn’t leave ― and will continue to leave ― a lasting impact on me.

It is true, characters and the people that you meet out covering sports are what makes it.

Yes, a back page news story always elevates the heart rate, but it’s the people and their stories that keep the heart pumping and I think that’s what I will miss the most.

And, while this week is scheduled to be my last official days in the office, you will still see my byline pop up through January as we wait until more cavalry arrives.

While on that topic, please continue to support The News’ sports team.

They are a young and passionate team of reporters and their work will benefit exponentially through your co-operation and support.

Please continue to support regional journalism, I know videos and free content by major publications is all the rage nowadays, but without our sports reporters there’s no highlighting the GV’s best footballers, netballers, golfers, basketballers and lawn bowlers.

Which would be a real shame since there are so many of you out there.

So, thank you to everyone who has assisted, supported and contributed since I arrived in the GV, it certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Sticking true to the Payney’s Punt theme, let’s share one last laugh together and back ourselves one last winner at big odds.

Race 1. The Payney’s Punt Stakes (1600m)

First Four selections

$1.50 - Katandra’s 2022-23 Haisman Shield premiership

It will be a day that I and a lot of the Katandra faithful will remember for the rest of our lives. The 2022-23 Haisman Shield final was a special occasion and I’m glad I was able to be on hand to witness it.

The tragic and horrible event that occurred in the weeks leading up to the decider will unfortunately stick with the Simpson family and Katandra community forever. Those devastating accidents create holes in lives that may never be filled again.

As the Katandra community wrapped its arms around the Simpsons and each other, the sporting gods wrote an unforgettable script.

Katandra never looked like winning once Central Park-St Brendan’s dismissed the Eagles for 131, however, some Jedd Wright and Billy Holmes magic flipped the game on its head.

The Tigers had the match in the palm of their hands at 2-58 after 15 overs, but a horror batting collapse had the match end no more than 16 overs and 51 runs later as they lost 6-28.

The scenes as Wright, one of the top cricketers I’ve watched, collected the final wicket to win the match, followed by Bailey Simpson receiving his medal are the most memorable moments in my time here.

$1.80 - The rise of Oscar Piastri

The driver who has strong family ties to the Goulburn Valley.

Never did I imagine when we first reported on Piastri during 2020 that he would go on to be the driver he is today ― recently crowned Formula 1 rookie driver of the year.

When the email first landed in our inboxes that the Melbourne-born talent’s parents grew up in Shepparton and that his grandparents remain in the city, I must confess we didn’t know whether we should proceed or not.

I am very glad we did.

To be able to watch Piastri’s rapid rise in the sport, continually smash expectations and win two consecutive drivers’ championships is something I won’t forget.

There’s been some late nights watching him over the years, but I wouldn’t change it as he finished his rookie F1 season with two podiums and a sprint victory.

I’m sure there were plenty of people who often asked why we reported on Piastri, considering he never once called Shepp home, but the best thing to come out of reporting on him was bumping into people down the street who had stayed up late watching him race after reading his connection to the region.

No doubt the GV support will continue for our F1 star.

$2.20 - Congupna’s reserves premiership in 2023

I think the boys at Congupna are still celebrating the reserves premiership.

This is one of the freshest memories, but it was arguably one of the best games of footy I’ve witnessed.

The Road secured its maiden reserves premiership in the Murray league thanks to a Thomas Phillips dagger and some extra-time antics.

Phillips will go down in Congupna footy folklore for his heroics in the final minute of the contest at Moama Recreation Reserve.

With less than 60 seconds on the clock and down by six points ― and with his side surging for a goal ― Phillips found space inside forward 50 and marked.

Phillips calmly nailed the set shot kick to draw Congupna level at 50 points apiece with less than 30 seconds left.

It was time for another 10 minutes of absorbing, pulsating and tense footy and The Road managed to hold on to claim a historic 8.9 (57) to 8.2 (50) triumph.

$2.50 - Nathalia’s NCWL premiership in 2022

Déjà vu: A feeling of having already experienced the present situation.

That is what everybody felt when Nathalia defeated Echuca to claim the Northern Country Women’s League premiership.

The Purples entered the decider at Princess Park, just as they did 12 months prior, as outsiders against the unbeaten Echuca juggernaut — a side that had only lost twice in its previous 35 matches.

The conditions were terrible; a cold and rain-soaked oval, but the Purples and their winning ways got them over the line. An insane experience.

Exotics

TRIFECTA

1. Bailey Goodall: To see what this Shepparton golf extraordinaire has achieved before his 18th birthday has been a joy to cover. No doubt a future star of Aussie golf.

2. Ivan Lister: I can’t remember how many times I’ve recounted this yarn. From calling a local trainer, following his first winner in multiple years, to discovering he is related to my uncle is the definition of ‘‘it’s a small world’’. The phone calls are never short nor without a burst of laughter, something I love.

3. Longwood FNC: The Redlegs will always have a soft spot in my heart. Stepping inside the inner sanctum and meeting the genuine people who run the club was a major highlight and it’s fantastic to see how far the club’s come since I arrived. No-one was happier to see them win earlier this year, well, maybe only Ricki Shiner.

QUADDIE

It was hard to narrow down so many memorable highlights and people from my time at The News, but here is my quaddie selections to finish us off.

Garang Kuol: From almost scoring a bicycle goal in a pre-season friendly, you just knew the kid was destined for bigger things. His older brother Alou goes all right too, can’t wait to see younger brother Didi in action.

Foxy and JR show: My first year in the GV was the final year of the Foxy and JR show and although I often try to forget my embarrassing performances on that show, it was a lot of fun with those two.

Garry Jacobson: Despite no longer hitting the streets in Supercars, covering Gazza has been a thrill with lots of highs and lows. Best highlight was being trackside to watch his incredible performances at Albert Park in 2022 with multiple top 10 finishes.

Tatura FNC & Tatura cricket club: To the crew out at the Kennel, big thanks for welcoming me and allowing an overweight twos player and hack cricketer join the ranks.