Incredible night at our Centenary Gala
What a night.
It was truly one of the most special events in our history as a massive crowd of Mulgrave people gathered at Melbourne’s most iconic venue to toast 100 years of our great club.
Memories were rekindled and plenty of new ones created.
Making the event so special was the fact that we were joined by people who first engaged with our club over 70 years ago, through to today’s Under 19 players - and everybody in between.
Many thanks are owed - everybody knows who they are and the role they played in bringing it all together.
- Our organising committee of Fletcher Wyllie, Riley Richards, Gerry Bieniak, Lesley Bieniak, Rod Andrews, Gail Hewitt, Brent Kirchner, Tom McGowan and Ash Porteous.
- Those who played their part in the formalities - Graeme Parker, Rod Andrews, Colin Branson, Ian Bremner, Darren Linkins, Sam Cendamo, Hayden Stanton, Peter Greenstreet, Scott Davidson, John Kelly, Matt Richards and Connor Tilyard.
- Our gun MC, Bruce Eva.
- Our major sponsors for supporting the event and all you do for us in general: Star Glass, Community Bank Pinewood and Mulgrave Country Club.
The biggest thanks and congratulations of all is owed to our president, Rachael Barlow. Planning an event of this magnitude is an enormous undertaking - Rachael started this process in September last year and was the driving force behind pushing it forward. All of this, in addition to the small task of being president of a football club in her first year! Incredible effort Rachael, the inboxes are full of people saying what a great night they had, which is testament to what you put together.
And last but not least… to everybody who came along! There’s no party without the people. Thanks so much for joining us on this special night.
You can view and download all the photos from the big night right here
500 games for Richo
One of the major highlights of our Centenary Gala was when everybody was able to toast the amazing contribution that current senior coach Matt Richards has made to Mulgrave.
We have jumped the gun and gone a few weeks early, but couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make a special presentation on a night when so many Mulgrave people were gathered.
Richo arrived at the club in 1987 to play Under 17s, and in Round 12 against East Burwood will bring up an amazing 500 GAMES as a player or head coach for Mulgrave at all levels.
Richo played Under 17s, Under 18s, Reserves and Seniors for the club and has coached the Under 19.5s, Reserves and Seniors, bringing up the staggering tally of 500 games directly involved as a player or head coach of one of our teams.
In nearly 40 years, he did take a few seasons off... and how did he spend that? Among other things, coaching son Riley at our affiliated junior club, Glen Waverley Rovers.
Across his time Richo has met and influenced countless Mulgrave people and it was amazing to have so many of them on hand for this. Thanks to former senior coach and life member John Kelly for taking charge of the formalities. Seeing the packed room rise for a standing ovation for Richo was a very special moment and a fitting recognition for one of our all-time legends.
Local footy clubs are built on the passion and hard work of people dedicated to the cause, and nobody demonstrates that like Richo. It’s hard to think where the club would be without him.
And so he becomes the first (and only) member of The 500 Club at Mulgrave. Sorry if the club meetings are a bit lonely Richo... but it’s going to take an enormous effort for anybody to match your contribution. We’ll take care of the bar tab!
Team of the Century unveiled
The Mulgrave Team of the Century was announced at the club's Centenary Gala at the MCG on Saturday.
Congratulations to all those named in the team - and indeed to all in the wider squad, all of whom could just as easily have been selected.
Click here to check out the Team of the Century squad
Centenary jumper now available
100 years is a big deal and we’ve got plenty of plans to celebrate our centenary this year.
The jumper is the most important and visible symbol of a footy club, so we had to do something a bit special this year.
We’re rapt to present our Centenary Home Jumper.
The jumper is unmistakably Mulgrave, as it should be. But there’s a few special features to pay tribute to our history and those that have built the club over 100 years.
Embedded on the front of the jumper is the names of all Mulgrave life members, while the back features a nod to our 24 premiership teams.
Order your own centenary jumper now!!
Sleeveless or Long Sleeves
All sizes from Baby 00 to 3XL
Your choice of number (or no number)
Note that a bulk order for these jumpers will be placed in the week beginning 16th of June. There will then be a 4-6 week for production and delivery.
