Following an exodus of senior players and committee members prior to the beginning of the season, Mathoura faced the very real possibility of recession.
Banks was reappointed as club president along with a revamped committee, and while on-field results may have been lopsided for much of the season, she is tipping a brighter future over the next two to three years.
“It’s been a tough year but you know what, we got through it,” Banks said.
“A massive thank you to the board for putting their faith in me and all the work that they’ve put in, they have just been amazing.
“Obviously thank you to the players that hung around and the players that joined. We’ve appointed our senior coaches for next year, so hopefully that will entice some people.
“It’s been a hard year but it’s been bloody positive. We’ve all kept our heads up and done the job.”
The Timbercutters rounded out the year with games against Picola and District League premiership contender Waaia, who sit second on the PDFL ladder.
Mathoura are out of finals contention, with Saturday’s football clash bringing a close to first-year coach Stan Gilday’s tenure of the side, as Tim McCormick and Nick Ferrari assume duties from 2023.
The Timbercutters notched their sole win for the year against Yarroweyah back in round five by 101 points and while it’s often been bleak on the field for the Timbercutters, Banks said it’s not all doom and gloom.
“We’ve still got the doors open and we’ve got juniors coming through the ranks,” she said.
“It’s not doom and gloom for us. We’re just staying positive and we know that as a board in two or three years we can look back on this and say, ‘that was hard’.
“Everyone pulled together, and going into next year and beyond it looks better than it did early this year.”
The Timbercutters sent off the season in style, welcoming Collingwood premiership player and 2011 Brownlow Medallist Dane Swan and 278-game Carlton premiership legend Anthony Koutoufides to Mathoura Recreation Reserve, who shared stories with the crowd.
