The Tigers won the flag, defeating perennial finalist and close town rival Katandra, at the Dookie football ground in a close and physical game — winning 17.11 (113) to 14.15 (99).
The club joined the Tungamah league in 1956, moving to the Picola League in 1995.
The 1979 team holds a special place in the club’s history and a reunion has been organised for the 40th anniversary.
The only other grand final Katamatite has played in was in 1966, when the Tony Murphy-coached team was beaten by Katandra at Tungamah.
Arthur Dingle and Adrian Wren played in the 1966 team, as well as the 1979 premiership team 13 years later.
President at the time Peter Kennedy, who along with his committee, appointed Bill Jones (Peter’s brother-in-law) coach in 1977.
The Tigers steadily climbed the ladder in 1977 and 1978 seasons, finally ending a long wait for the Katamatite supporters, starved of success.
The team comprised some very experienced players Adrian Wren, Arthur Dingle and Geoff Mitchell and seasoned players in Gary Edis, Billy O’Kane, Bernie Lonergan, Steve Codd, Shane Coughlan, Des O’Meara, Steve Ronaldson and Kevin Radford.
The team also had a host of players from the juniors, who were under 21, including Trevor Mills, Phillip Barnes, Darren and Ross Flanigan, Doug Miller, Paul Brooks, Billy Cornehls, Stewie Hughes and Andy Alderton.
Former player Trevor Mills said: ‘‘Like any premiership things have to fall in place around a club for it to happen. A couple of recruits came to the club from Yarrawonga and then Geoff Mitchell, Steve Ronaldson, Stewie Hughes and Kevin Radford just moved to the area. As well all the younger players hadn’t moved away so it all came together.
‘‘We had some pretty wild boys in the team but Peter Kennedy and secretary, Jack Edis kept a tight rein on things and Bill Jones just supported all the players and had the knack of making everyone feel important.
‘‘As often happens the A-grade netball team won that year as well so the place was pretty much rocking over that period.
‘‘I do remember the older supporters and players like Arthur Dingle and Gary Edis, who had stuck with the club through some ups and downs were very moved by the win.’’
The reunion is on Saturday with a light lunch and drinks from noon. President Max Wright will welcome the team and Mills will talk about the club. People can also browse the photos and mementos from the 1970s on display.
All players and committee people from 1979 have been contacted, but anyone who was around at that time or any other interested people are welcome.
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