Country football is an important part of the social fabric in many communities. Young men have a social and physical outlet, women get involved through netball and supporters barrack for their local clubs, invariably their town.

I went along to Vansittart Park in Mount Gambier today to watch North Gambier play Hamilton in the Western Border League. It was my first taste of country football (Victorian and South Australian style) for three years.

Apologies to Kalgoorlie readers, but football there was less community oriented. Games were played on Friday night, Saturday night and Sunday (to boost bar sales, I believe), but not the traditional Saturday afternoon. And there was no netball link.

I prefer Saturday football.

There wasn’t a big crowd at Mount Gambier today, but the venue and the conditions reminded me of LVFL and OMFL experiences.

The sun has hardly shone in Mount Gambier for a week but the grass is green, conditions soft and the oval a picture. I felt at home, everything was familiar.

I saw the last quarter of the reserves and the standard impressed me. The seniors also showed good skills, but unfortunately it was a one-sided encounter.

Hamilton, wearing Collingwood colors, jumped North Gambier and produced good scoring bursts to race away to a handy lead. They won 22.10 to 7.4.

The game was over by half time. I can’t say any North players stood out and the standard was not as high as Ovens and Murray, but good to watch.

A key aspect of country football in Victoria and South Australia is the community involvement. So many people play important roles.

Rising petrol prices pose a threat to the game. Players, supporters and umpires face increasing costs to travel to away games.

Hopefully there will be an easing of the cost pressures. Football is a vital community builder.