Excerpts from On Reflection 17 April, 2017 , the sporting blog by KB Hill The full version is still available online. THE 124-year history of the Ovens and Murray Football League has seen only five clubs rise from the ignominy of inheriting the wood-spoon to winning the premiership the following year. Lake Moodemere Rovers (1904-’05), Rutherglen (1906-’07), Wangaratta (1937-’38), Corowa (1967-’68) and Albury (1984-85) share that ‘Lazarus-type’ honour. But Wangaratta went one better. In winning the flag in 1936, plummeting to the bottom in 1937 and miraculously resurrecting their fortunes to win again in 1938, they performed a feat which will, in all likelihood, never be repeated. Drastic measures were implemented for the 1938 season. After an involvement of 10 years at the club, Fred Carey relinquished the coaching position. The net was cast far and wide to replenish the playing ranks and experienced former VFL player Norman Le Brun accepted the coaching appointment. He concluded his VFL career with a total of 50 games, comprising three at South Melbourne, 23 at Essendon, 19 with Collingwood and five with the Blues. He had a fine season with Coburg, moved to South Warrnambool for a year and had actually applied for the coaching position at Tasmanian club, Ulverstone, before Wangaratta came knocking. A bachelor, with a carefree personality, which endeared him to everyone, Norman Le Brun was ‘adopted’ by the town. He enjoyed an outstanding season in and around the packs and finished fifth in the Morris Medal, his inspiring play giving his ‘new-look’ team a huge lift. Wangaratta finished second, equal with Yarrawonga and Rutherglen on points, at the conclusion of the home-and-away rounds, but earned a quick passport to the Grand Final. Their four-point win over Yarrawonga in the second-semi earned them favouritism for the flag. They met Yarra again in the Grand Final and it was to prove another clinker of a contest. The Magpies led by 12 points at half-time, but the Pigeons booted themselves out of the contest in the third term, when they could only manage 2.7. Wangaratta ran away in the final quarter, to win by 27 points. “It was the greater all-round strength and teamwork of players like Ernie Ward, Norm Le Brun and Alec Fraser, that took them to the flag,” the Border Morning Mail said of the game. “Much of the credit for this premiership must be given to coach Le Brun, for welding this side together throughout the season,” chortled the Wangaratta’s Chronicle Despatch. Le Brun was again in charge in 1939, but Wangaratta just missed out on the finals. In his final year of football – 1940 - Norman Le Brun coached Ganmain to a South-West League premiership. He was one of the thousands of Australians who signed up to serve, when World War 2 got into full swing soon after. In November 1944, whilst pursuing retreating Japanese forces through thick jungle, Trooper Le Brun was shot and killed by an enemy sniper, concealed among the roots of a large tree. The varied, hectic life of Norman Le Brun was over, at the age of 36.
