Warrnambool Raiders welcomed Naracoorte Jets to Deakin University for the Limestone Coast Rugby League grand final.

A large crowd gathered to watch and celebrate the emergence of the sport in the region.

Raiders captain Courage Hukatai summed it up: “It’s good to see it’s not just rugby league in New South Wales and Queensland and that it’s also in the south-west (of Victoria).”

There was an act of great sportsmanship with a large post-game huddle and the haka.

You can watch it here: Growth of the game a bonus for grand finalist 

Tradition plays a big part in football and one Warrnambool and District league club is going back to the future.

Russells Creek will revert to its old playing strip, last worn in the 1980s, next season.

In other off-season news, the Hampden league has its first female president but it could be for the short-term and it’s also announced its 2019 draw.

It’s a serious business now. 

But sport has a lighter side. We met Warrnambool Golf Club’s oldest and youngest golfers this week.

John ‘Jack’ Bullen is 97 and his little mate Hugo Artz is 11. 

Here’s a selection of our stories from the past week:

- Justine McCullagh-Beasy