John McEwen Reserve

John McEwen Reserve presents a low, functional profile, a cluster of buildings set back from Numurkah Road and Brauman Street. The face of the stand is flat and unadorned, looking more like a car park or a community centre than a place for sport. The only feature that breaks the grey is the covered seating on the west side, a long, narrow shelter that offers a little protection from the weather.

The precinct was rebranded in 2017, shifting from a sports complex to a city, but the change was mostly cosmetic. The club moved into the new digs and the locals have been happy with what they see. Aaron Kuol, a former player, was heard saying it is probably the best surface in Victoria, a claim that seems generous given the region, but one that suggests the grass has been treated with care rather than neglect.

The capacity is small, just 3,200, and the crowd rarely fills even half of it. The big matches were the pre-season games against the city teams, Melbourne City and Western Sydney Wanderers, back in 2018. Those drew a record 1,900 people, a number that suggests the team played well that day. Since then, the cup games have brought out smaller groups, mostly friends and family waiting to see if the local side can spring a surprise.

The ground sits in the shadow of the old name, the Sports Complex, though no one calls it that anymore. It is quiet. There are no loud celebrations or famous nights, just the sound of boots on the turf and the occasional shout from the sidelines. The sun goes down and the lights come on, and the players run out again the next morning.