AS THE football-loving public of Melbourne was preparing for the Hall Of Fame showdown between Victoria and the Dream Team, a similar sense of anticipation was building in Pomona.

Okay, so maybe Pomona doesn’t automatically spring to mind as a football heartland – situated 166km north of Brisbane, it has a population of a little over 2000.

And yes, Pomona Oval, with its two-storey clubhouse (formerly the domestic science building at Pomona School) isn’t quite the MCG.

But the sun is shining, there’s a new gun recruit in town and a match to come against top-of-the-table Nambour – the benchmark of the Sunshine Coast’s State Association Division 3 North competition.

Driving into Pomona, the most noticeable feature is Mt Cooroora, which towers over the town like a smaller version of Capetown’s Table Mountain.

Pomona Oval is similarly picturesque. Thick, almost jungle-like bush, flanks one half of the ground. Back in the days before a fence was built around the ground, locals reckon the foliage used to devour about three balls a game. It’s not hard to believe.

Nambour come to town with two wins from as many games. Its record reads 186 points for and 29 against, for a percentage of 641. If the Pomona Demons are going to cause an upset, they’ll have to be live up to the “mighty mountain men” of their theme song.

The visitors start the game by kicking the first goal. I begin by investing in a bucket of hot chips. At $2 a pop, I’ve definitely had a win already – now to see whether Pomona can do the same out on the field (and whether one of my tickets comes out in the meat tray raffle).

The Pomona Demons go goalless through the first quarter, but have more than their fair share of play and rue several missed opportunities. At the other end, Nambour also sprays a couple of set shots – in true country football style, each errant effort is greeted with good-natured but unfortunately (only just!) unprintable advice from the home crowd.

The second quarter treats Pomona much better, as new Victorian spearhead “Noz” showcases his skills. He hasn’t exactly been snuck into town under the cover of night but he obviously presents an unknown commodity for Nambour.

Before the quarter is out, Noz has kicked two goals and handed off another and the Demons are only 11 points in arrears at half-time. I head off for a second crack at the canteen optimistic of sharing a celebratory drink with the locals at day’s end.

Alas, Nambour comes out in the third quarter and shows why it’s undefeated, piling on eight goals to one. My thoughts switch to a conciliatory drink, but, in the meantime, can Pomona at least avoid a blow-out?

It can. Following some sage three-quarter-time encouragement from coach Ned, the Demons show their fighting spirit in the last quarter (a couple of times, almost literally), booting three goals and outscoring the premiership favourites. Noz kicks his third of the afternoon and, in one of its best moments of the match, the home side manages two majors in two minutes to warm applause.

At the final siren, the scoreboard reads 15.13 (103) to Nambour and 7.10 (52) to Pomona. The Demons have a way to go if they are to realise the dream of a first senior flag but their points tally is almost twice what the ladder leaders conceded in their first two games combined.

The festivities finish with traditional post-match country footy presentations. In a nice touch, Pomona president and player Drew presents Nambour’s best player with a voucher for a six-pack and graciously praises the victors. Nambour coach Penguin returns the favour. The Demons’ best – including Peter, Scotty, Blake and feisty veteran Noel – accept their awards and one of the visiting contingent collects the meat tray on behalf of his father.

I’m disappointed at not taking home a couple of locally-produced steaks, but I’m even more disappointed at missing the chance to hear the Pomona theme song. I wonder what tune it’s sung to? Still, I might yet get the chance to hear it. I suspect better days lie ahead for the Demons. Perhaps I’ll make the trek back up the highway to partake in some of them.

Some facts about Pomona
Settled: Late 1880s
Located: 166km north of Brisbane, about 30 minutes drive from Noosa Heads. Famous for: Mt Cooroora; the annual King of the Mountain running race and festival; the historic Majestic Theatre silent movie cinema.

Pomona Cooroy Australian Rules Football Club:
Formed in 1973 and started life at the Pomona Showground Oval. It moved to its current home in 1981.
In 2004, it celebrated its first (and to date only) premiership, when the under 12 side won the Sunshine Coast competition. Pomona product Rhys Magin is currently on Essendon’s rookie list and younger brother Alik plays for the Brisbane Lions’ reserves team, the Suncoast Lions.

Pomona theme song
We’re the mighty men of Pomona, mountain men we are.
We’re the mighty men of Pomona and we wear the big gold V.
Stick together when we’re losing, never give in.
We’re the mighty men of Pomona, and the premiership we’ll win.
This year!