FOUR points deprived 96-year-old Peg Coates - and all other Collingwood fans - from cheering the team on in the AFL Grand Final.
But a slim victory worked in her favour this week. Only two points separated those in first and second places in the Mercy Health Bethlehem footy tipping competition.
Mrs Coates was yesterday named winner for a fourth time, with 126 points.
Her formula for success was unchanged. Being legally blind, Mrs Coates had listened to every game during the season on the radio.
Her grandson-in-law had continued his weekly visits from Melbourne, during which they talked footy. He would fill her in on any of the finer details that might not have been addressed by the radio coverage.
Then, he'd leave it to Mrs Coates to submit her tips.
"It's your call," he'd tell her.
Children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren were at the home for the aged yesterday to capture the moment Mrs Coates was named the competition's winner.
Four of her fellow residents placed second, with 124 points apiece.
Rita Stevenson rounded out the podium placings in third, with 120 points.
"Very unexpected, it was," Mrs Coates said of her victory.
One of her sons, Michael Coates, said he was ecstatic his mother had won.
He said she was passionate about football, which showed in her football tipping.
"She gets annoyed if she gets it wrong," he said.
Mrs Coates said she would like to see Richmond win on Saturday.
"They've been a good side all year," she said.
She said she was disappointed Collingwood hadn't made it to the Grand Final.
"But I thought it was a good match," she said of Friday's semi-final against Greater Western Sydney.
Mrs Coates plans to listen in on Saturday with her radio.
Emma D'Agostino
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
Covering general news and Bendigo council.
