TWO CHAMPIONS
Two great players in the crowd at the MCG for the celebration a week ago were Shane Crawford and Andrew Mackie (pictured). In the photo they were part of the crowd at my final game as coach at ACK. The pair are great friends and first met when Assumption played SHC Adelaide in 1991. They were outstanding college players and went on to wonderful careers with Hawthorn and Geelong.
THREE AMIGOS
Three former ACK captains met up at a local area pub recently. From left they are Mick O’Donnell (1969), Sandy Symons (1976) and Adrian Mitchell-Hill (1979). Mick O’Donnell is Simon’s older brother. He too was a very good cricketer. Sandy Symons came from Hay in the Riverina. He was a rugged defender who took no prisoners. Adrian Mitchell-Hill from Albury led the 1979 champion team. Like the others a fine player and champion guy. A couple of years later his younger brother Tim played 1st XVII, he tragically lost his life not long after leaving college. The trio of captains were among the near 80 1st XVIII and 1st XI leaders I was privileged to have coached.
ERNIE HUG
Among the overflow crowd in the Olympic Room was Ernie Hug III. From a great Gippsland family Ernie was a champion 1st XVIII player in the late eighties. An outstanding high jumper he was ACK champion each year from seven to 12. He has really known tragedy. His grandfather Ernie was killed in a level crossing accident near Maffra. His dad, also Ernie, who played for Collingwood died young in a tree logging accident on the home farm. His brother died in his arms on the footy field at Sale when he suffered a severe head knock. Life for almost everyone is a mixture of sun and shadow, there has certainly been a fair bit of shadow in Ernie III’s life.
AFL CHIEF’S GESTURE
AFL boss Andrew Dillion apologised for not being able to attend the evening due to the women’s final between North and Brisbane. However, he sent a lovely framed 500-word tribute to be presented. Also, the ACKOC committee headed by Simon Costa, Luke Soulos and Monica Gill presented a magnificent life achievement award. It was nice to get messages from a number of Principals of rival colleges.
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Gareth Hall, a highly regarded race caller “called” an imaginary race featuring some of the ACK legends. It was won by 1982 dual sports captain Ray Power who led the 1st XVIII to AGSV and Herald-Sun Sheild titles. His 210 goals in ’82 will probably never be surpassed.
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James Weatherly, one of seven generation of his family to attend Geelong Grammar from the great Western district sheep station “Woolongoon” was happy to attend. He recalled as a young boy watching my father shearing at Woolongoon each year. One occasion the family had renowned English actor Derek Nimmo holidaying with them. He was fascinated to watch the sheep being shorn and asked dad “You must need a long holiday from this backbreaking work?” “No, we spend eight months shearing and then go North to the banana plantations in Queensland to work as banana benders and when they are picked, they are straight and we have to bend them ready to be sent around the country for sale”. “What fascinating work” exclaimed the actor.
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Three popular guys at the function were Sportsbet legends Alan and son Matt Tripp; along with racing celebrity Tony Ottobre and wife Lynn. Tony had two winners from his “Jenni Stable” that afternoon. Matt Tripp is chairman of Melbourne Storm. Alan and Matt are truly fine people as are Tony and Lynn. They are very highly regarded by all who know them.
FRANCIS BOURKE
One of the legends of the game, Tiger champion Francis Bourke spoke beautifully. Through the shadowy mists of time, =I can still see him playing on the Main Oval in the early sixties. Even then he was tough and rugged. From Nathalia he went on to a 300 plus game career with Richmond and is a Hall of Fame inductee of the Tigers and AFL. His father Frank, and son David also both attended ACK and played for the Tigers. Another speaker was former state and federal national party politician Damian Drum whose sister is married to Francis Bourke. Before politics Damian played for Geelong and coached Freemantle.
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As usual Bill Brownless and Shane Crawford provided the humorous interludes. Both were in fine form and recalled many hilarious times from their schooldays.
