Our eagle eyed news hounds have spotted an article in the local Warrnambool newspaper on Andrew McNeil: https://www.standard.net.au/story/6873633/a-giant-involvement-andrew-mcneil-goes-under-the-auld-pump/?cs=10266. Andrew is a staunch Mercs man and his two children are also members.

To add a little colour to the local story, your correspondent spoke with Andrew. Given it was a football based story, your correspondent inquired about his footballing highlights. Andrew immediately referred to his school (St Joseph’s CBC WBool) being runners up for the regional Herald Shield final in 1989 at Waverly (VFL Park). I also gathered that he might have been a bit miffed tghat story did not cover this! A solid half back flanker apparently. Also playing in the same position, the South Warnambool U18s were also runners up in Hampden League GF in 1989.

But despite his football and umpiring glory, he picked rowing over footy in 1990. "As a footballer, I made a better rower!"

Warnambool boy made good, our Andrew McNeil.