One of the first players inducted into the GVL Hall of Fame was Former Kyabram identity and the very first recipient of the Morrison Medal in 1934, Wilf Cox.

Tonight we induct one of Wilf Cox’s grandsons into the GVL Hall of Fame.

Michael Souter or Mick as he is generally known didn’t play with his grandfather’s club but had an illustrious career with Tongala in the GVL and Nathalia in the Murray League.

Being the grandson of a former champion means that certain expectations are abound when he commences to play football.

Mick didn’t let anybody down as he was equal winner of the Under 13s medal in the Kyabram junior competition. He then had more success in the under15s where he played in premiership teams. In total his 4 years in junior football brought him 3 premierships and a losing grand final by 1 point.

His performance soon had him selected by GV Schoolboys coach Graeme Scott to represent the GV team in 1974.

He progressed to senior football as a 15 year old when he played his first game for Tongala in the GVL in 1975.

As a 17 year old Michael was selected to represent Victoria in the under 17 carnival. He was a part of a winning team at the Australian Championships.

Mick was a classy forward line player who had an uncanny goal kicking ability.

He settled into the Tongala side and became a regular star player. He was selected to represent the GVL in the Country Championships. He was lucky to be a part of a great era at Tongala when Des Campbell coached the Dark Blues to premierships in 1983 and 84 with Souter being a star forward.

Michael played for Tongala for 11 years before transferring to Nathalia in the Murray League in 1987 for 2 seasons. .

He was a sensation in the Murray League, He won the League Goal Kicking both seasons with a total of 242 Goals –Kicking 18 in one game alone. He also represented the Murray League in 4 Country Championship games.

In 1989 Michael brought his goal kicking boots back to his beloved Tongala and duly won the GVL goal kicking with 78 goals, kicking 14 in one match. He continued to play with Tongala for another 8 years until the end of his football career.

Michael became the first Tongala player to win three consecutive Best player awards in 1977, 78, and 79. He was also runner up in the award 3 times.

He had some great names as coaches during his career, Rod McNabb, Ian McGregor, Des Campbell, Peter Lyon, Peter Warburton, Adrian Daly, Mick Shanahan and Roger Robilliard.

He was awarded Life Membership at Tongala and is a qualified Life member of the GVL playing a total of 333 GVL senior games.

Following his retirement as a player he has coached junior football for 12 years and has been Auskick co-ordinator for 8 years. He has also been a specialist coach at Tongala, Echuca and Mooroopna.

The first GVL Morrison Medalist – the late Wilf Cox would have been delighted to welcome his grandson Michael Souter into the GVL Hall of Fame. Michael, congratulations on joining your grandfather as you are inducted into the Hall of Fame.