The Search For Southland’s Sporting Idol
Jeff Wilson Is The South’s Greatest Living Legend
Together with the Mataura Licensing Trust, we have found Southland’s Sporting Idol. Jeff Wilson is our greatest sporting champion of the last fifty years. And Warren Greenfield has taken away over 2000 dollars worth of travel from the MLT. Thanks for playing.
Southland’s Sporting Idol
Jeff Wilson. Listen to our Idol by clicking here.
If ever a nickname summed up a sporting career it was Goldie - Jeff Wilson. He debuted for the All Blacks one day before his 20th birthday, just months after almost single-handedly beating Australia in a one-day cricket international. 60 tests and 44 test tries later he retired as one of the most gifted players ever to pull on the black jersey. And for an extended interview with our Sporting Idol click here.
Our MLT Prize-Winner
Warren Greenfield. Listen to our Idol by clicking here.
Warren was drawn from the hundreds who entered and took home 2200 dollars worth of travel courtesy of the Mataura Licensing Trust, serving the community for 50 years.
Our Idol Finalists
Brian McKechnie. Listen to Brian by clicking here.
Double All Black Brian McKechnie will forever be etched in New Zealand’s sporting history for his part in two landmark sporting controversies. He kicked the penalty which saw the All Blacks beat Wales following Andy Haden’s infamous lineout dive in 1978 and faced Trevor Chappell’s underarm delivery at the MCG in early 1981.
Jack Alabaster. Listen to Jack by clicking here.
Southland’s best ever cricketer can lay claim to being the best leg-spin bowler this country has produced. Jack played 21 tests for New Zealand taking 49 wickets at an average of 38. He reached his peak in South Africa in 1961-62 where his 86 tour wickets helped New Zealand square a test series for the first time.
Robyn Broughton.
Robyn has presided over Southland sport’s greatest dynasty coaching the Southern Sting to an unprecedented six consecutive national netball titles. Together with an outstanding record at secondary school level with Verdon College and a stint as Silver Ferns’ assistant coach, she is quite probably the province’s best ever administrator.
Donna Loffhagen.
Donna has been a key cog in the Sting’s domination of New Zealand netball. She first made the Silver Ferns at the tender age of 17, competing in two Commonwealth Games. Since 2003 she has been unavailable for international netball concentrating on her other love basketball, starring for the Tall Ferns at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Listen to the Experts’ View
Nathan Burdon. Listen with Windows Media Player
The Southland Times’ Sports Editor’s Top 5:
1. Jeff Wilson 2. Robyn Broughton 3. Justin Marshall 4. Brian McKechnie
5. Donna Loffhagen
Lynn McConnell. Listen with Windows Media Player
Former Southland Times’ Sports Editor Lynn McConnell’s
Top 5:
1. Jeff Wilson 2. Jack Alabaster 3. Robyn Broughton 4. Brain McKechnie
5. Justin Marshall
Jim Valli. Listen with Windows Media Player
Southland Times sports columnist Jim Valli’s Top 5:
1. Jeff Wilson 2. Brian McKechnie 3. Mark Treffers 4. Liz Douglas
5. Donna Loffhagen.
Podge Macpherson.
Former Ensign sports reporter Roger Macpherson’s Top 5:
1. Jeff Wilson 2. Brian McKechnie 3. Donna Loffhagen 4. Robyn Broughton
5. Jack Alabaster.
Jamie Mackay. Listen with Windows Media Player
Farmingshow host and Southland Times columnist Jamie Mackay’s
Top 5:
1. Brian McKechnie 2. Jeff Wilson 3. Donna Loffhagen 4. Derek Turnbull
5. Ack Soper
The Final Idol Points Table
24 - Jeff Wilson (Double All Black - rugby/cricket)
17 - Brian McKechnie (Double All Black - rugby/cricket)
9 - Robyn Broughton (Netball coaching supremo)
8 - Donna Loffhagen (Netball/basketball international)
5 - Jack Alabaster (Former NZ cricketer)
4 - Justin Marshall (Former All Black halfback)
3 - Mark Treffers (Commonwealth Games Gold medal-winning swimmer)
2 - Liz Douglas (Golfing champion)
2 - Derek Turnbull (Running legend)
1 - Ack Soper (Southland rugby centurion)