MUCH is talked about the rivalry between the Wangaratta Rovers and Wangaratta Magpies, competing against each other in the Ovens and Murray Football Netball League.

The Rovers club early last century was seen as the little brother to the Wangaratta Magpies and some believe that was the first seed of the rivalry.

There was even talk that it stemmed from a religious rivalry with players from St Patrick's Cricket Club playing a key role in the early days of the Hawks while the Magpies were more your protestant type.

The Rovers entered the O&K league in 1945 before moving into the O&M as Wangaratta's 'second team' in 1950 and going on to win their first premiership in 1958 under Bob Rose.

The Hawks have since gone on to win another 14 O&M premierships while the big brother Magpies have struggled, managing just five flags since 1957 including a painful drought between 1976 and 2007.

They have now contested the last three grand finals while Rovers have not won a flag since 1994, although they came close in 2002 when they lost to North Albury in the grand final, so it has been ...