It has been a long time coming but after 44 years the Yeppoon Swans have snatched the record for the longest winning streak in Australian Rules history.
Based on the central Queensland coast, the Swans and their senior side last lost a game in 2015.
On Saturday night, the team defeated Boyne Island Tannum Sands in the grand final of the AFL Capricornia competition.
It was the team’s 89th consecutive win, breaking the record set by South Australian team Heathfield-Aldgate during the 1970s.
Win tops off a tough season
Swans coach Mark Wallin said the win was sweet.
“It’s been a tough road. This year has been incredibly hard with the shortened 10-game season,” he said.
“With the up and down troughs and uncertainty around when we’re going to play, it was just a tough year.
“I’m incredibly proud of the boys to get it done.”
The grand final was also a home game for the Swans.
“It was awesome to be at home at Swans ground and to get the record, on top of the premiership, is a perfect day,” captain Matt Wallin said.
Swans took Saints Queensland record
Runners-up, Boyne Island Tannum Sands Saints, started the game strongly but the Swans got ahead in the second quarter.
Until last year the Saints held the Queensland record for the longest winning streak, with 65 consecutive wins between 2000 and 2003.
Saints coach Rick Bean said the team went into the game as the underdogs.
“It’s how we stood up and how we acquitted ourselves.
“I thought the boys were very respectful to the game of footy and to Yeppoon and I couldn’t be any prouder in that area.
“I think we’ve shown a lot of people around here and a lot of other clubs within the league that they’re beatable, not today, but there’s a chance.
“You never lose, you win, or you learn, and we’ve learnt a hell of a lot today and where we need to be.”
‘All records are there to be broken’
Healthfield-Aldgate, based in the Adelaide Hills, set the record of 88 wins between 1971 and 1976.
The team existed for 12 years, before it merged with then arch-rival Stirling Football Club to form the Mount Lofty District Football Club.
In that time the team won seven premierships in a row.
John Coventry was part of the historical side and congratulated the new record holders.
“All records are there to be broken, and it’s taken 45-years for it to happen. It was a different era back then, but I have to say congratulations to them.”
He said he was pleased the side shared his team’s colours — red and white.
“Job well done. They’ve got a few more premierships to catch up to us, though.”
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