A number of one-off games between sides have been played over the years, including one Val Roberts played in around 70 years ago.

A team of Horsham women played a full-length exhibition match against Stawell at Haven and it was the only time Roberts ever pulled on the boots.

“There was a lot of kicking the football in backyards but not as a team,” she said. “It just wasn’t the done thing in those days.”

Roberts remembers enjoying the game immensely.

“They had a couple of boys playing and we weren’t too happy about that,” she said.“I don’t even remember who won but there was certainly quite a crowd.”

Roberts said she enjoyed women getting more and more of an opportunity to play the game. “Girls grow up kicking with their brothers and fathers so it’s really great to see them get a chance to play as well,” she said.

Roberts wants to try to track down names for the players. 

“I know some of them but not the rest,” she said. “There’s only about five that I remember really well.”