WHAT A WEEK... WHAT A GAME. Every year the Carbine Club AFL Grand Final Lunch at the Palladium Room, Crown, Melbourne is part of the official AFL build up to the premiership battle... The last Saturday in September. This year it could be one of the great grand finals - Sydney vs Hawthorn at the MCG. Premiership cups and flags are not easy to win... for the winners, the victory will bring with it a medal and the right to be called a premiership player. For that team, a bond and respect that will last a lifetime. For the losing side - pain, hurt deep in the gut and a knowledge that each and every one of them may never get this close again. For example the 2 legends recognized at lunch, Robbie Flower (Melb F.C.) and Doug Hawkins (Footscray F.C.) never played in a grand final throughout their career. Paul Harvey’s caricatures of each champion as expected were superb. Thanks Harv. A great talent. Like almost every person in the Palladium Room Harv failed to recognize the brilliant season Eagle ball magnet and workhorse Matt Priddis had produced. Now a Brownlow Medallist. His response was humble. His medal well deserved - a champion... A compelling story of never giving up, pursuing the dream. There are no guarantees of a game, a premiership or a Brownlow, but somehow hard work, persistence and belief can win through. A massive congratulations to Matt Priddis. Everyone involved in shaping the man, the player and his story will be so proud. The lunch venue was the same as the Brownlow Medal count... just rejigged to a different configuration. The gathering of 1000 plus enjoyed hearing from triple Lions premiership legend Jonathan Brown (AFL Cup Ambassador). The room was a who’s who in AFL football... A glance across the crowded room revealed an instantly recognizable face. Super coach Kevin Sheedy paid tribute to 2 outstanding men who passed away in 2014 - Tom Hafey and Dean Bailey. We thank them for a wonderful contribution to the rich tapestry of our game. The game will miss them both. One of the highlights of the lunch was the interview with new AFL CEO Gillon McLachlan. He now has his hands on the wheel of one of sports biggest and most demanding roles. We trust in his ability to navigate through good and tough periods in the games evolution. I wish him well. Again, may the best team win on Saturday. I think Swans.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 03:46:03 +0000
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