1933 The Koonarisk Aboriginal Team
	Football clubs struggling for money have tried many avenues to raise funds over the years. But we suspect that one of the Preston Football Club's efforts in 1933 would raise a few eyebrows today ...

In May, 1933, the following release from the Club appeared in The Preston Leader : 

"The Social Committee of the Preston Football Club have gone to considerable trouble to give local football supporters an opportunity of seeing the renowned Koonarisk Aboriginal Football Team from Gippsland, by arranging a match between them and a mixture of players and officials of the Preston Football Club to commence at 3.00 p.m. on King's Birthday". 

"Residents should avail themselves of this unique opportunity as the Koonarisk team will not play in Melbourne again this year. Players and officials are training hard on the quiet, knowing that they will be up against a fast and uncanny combination". 

Despite the imminent threat of rain, over 1,000 local supporters turned out in anticipation of a great spectacle. 

Just before the scheduled start, an announcement was made that the aboriginal team had been delayed on their trip from Gippsland, but would arrive shortly and then hasten to take the field. 

A few minutes later, one of football club's president Henry Zwar's trucks drove onto the centre of the ground and the Koonarisk team disembarked, wearing uniforms that were anything but "uniform', mostly a motley collection of long sleeves and trousers. 

At the same time, the Preston team appeared out of the pavilion with the promised mix of a few players and some of the more athletically minded officials. Only 14 players appeared for each of the teams, and a few spectators noted that some of the Preston senior players weren't on the ground and assumed they would take the field in the second half. 

The game began and the Koonarisk players quickly displayed the speed and skill for which they were apparently renowned. With the reduced number of players, most of the action was held to the centre and outer side of the ground before what proved to be a short-lived conspiracy unravelled as heavy rain swept the ground mid-way through the first quarter. 

A mis-kick sent the ball to the grandstand wing, and one of the visitors in pursuit slipped and slid close to the fence. 

Astute spectators noticed the "aboriginal" player's hair had distinctly red roots and that he bore an uncanny resemblance to champion rover "Bluey" Summers! 

As the rain continued, the aboriginal team became decidely half-caste and very recognisable! 

Aware the ruse was blown, the 'Koonarisk' team agreed to play out the second quarter, during which they spent most of the time dumping their favourite officials in the muddy and now dye-stained pools of water around the ground, leaving all players pretty much the same coffee colour at half-time. 

Preston's secretary, Ern Hannah and coach Charlie McSwain confessed to organising the burlesque 'to raise a few bob' for the club, and everyone went home drenched, but thoroughly pleased with the afternoon's entertainment!