Was lucky enough to attend a thank you hosted by the Lions last night at Springfield for volunteers at local footy clubs. The players who were at the Community Camp that afternoon came up for an hour to have a chat with us. First up let me say that as supporters we should be enormously proud of the players for the humble way they go about things and the way they engaged with everyone. No one was on their phone scrolling through their socials or reading texts etc. First guy into the room was Cam and he just made a bee line to the table where my mate and I were and if he isn't one of the happiest people alive then I am a poor judge. He stayed and chatted with us for about 20 minutes - excited about the year ahead and I said to him that he looked in fantastic nick- said it was the first proper pre-season post the ACL. Chatted a bit about playing in the back line in the intra-club.
Next chat was with Shadeau Brain and for a guy who has only just lobbed at an AFL club he was great to talk to - mentioned to him that we had been to a pre-season meet the players at Brendale possibly in Fage's second year and that the first question that Fages asked us was "how were the players - were they respectful". He said that Fages still asks that question just about every time they get together - are you staying grounded. On to Will next - I actually worked with his grandfather on his mums side at Westpac years ago - had a chat about that. Said he is enjoying living in Brisbane - never lived here before only the Gold Coast. No problem with the commute (in fact that was the message from all the players I spoke to) just sticks on a podcast and develops his brain a bit more. Says he is loving playing in the midfield group with Lachie and Josh. Caught up with Hugh, my goodness what an impressive guy. We spoke about his trip to Nepal, the season ahead and how genuinely excited he is about Will and Jack Gunston. Had a laugh at the photo of Hippy on Instagram when he was a young fella - mentioned that the club had tried everything to get size into him but that just looks to be his genetic disposition. One thing that he did say that no one really likes playing on him because he is so mobile and all arms and legs and if you try to play him close you are liable to cop a stray elbow.
Caught up then with Carter Michael - again just a really impressive guy who is under no illusions about hard he is going to have to work to get a run but he is certainly up for it. Quick chat to Lachie as it was getting towards the end of the night. Steely determination there to go the extra couple of steps and is excited about what he sees in Will.
Next up was Dizzy - didn't realise he is so tall! At that stage of his career where he says the pre-season is a bit of a grind but he thinks the payoff will be worth it - again just a really down to earth person.
Last person I got to was Oscar - what a legend! Spoke about the midfield group and his smile was like a split watermelon "mate I am now spoiled for choices for the centre square bounces and around the ground hit outs.
Big thanks to all of them for making themselves available - would have been a long day for them but they all had a smile on their face and more than willing to have a chat to anyone that came up to them,
Next chat was with Shadeau Brain and for a guy who has only just lobbed at an AFL club he was great to talk to - mentioned to him that we had been to a pre-season meet the players at Brendale possibly in Fage's second year and that the first question that Fages asked us was "how were the players - were they respectful". He said that Fages still asks that question just about every time they get together - are you staying grounded. On to Will next - I actually worked with his grandfather on his mums side at Westpac years ago - had a chat about that. Said he is enjoying living in Brisbane - never lived here before only the Gold Coast. No problem with the commute (in fact that was the message from all the players I spoke to) just sticks on a podcast and develops his brain a bit more. Says he is loving playing in the midfield group with Lachie and Josh. Caught up with Hugh, my goodness what an impressive guy. We spoke about his trip to Nepal, the season ahead and how genuinely excited he is about Will and Jack Gunston. Had a laugh at the photo of Hippy on Instagram when he was a young fella - mentioned that the club had tried everything to get size into him but that just looks to be his genetic disposition. One thing that he did say that no one really likes playing on him because he is so mobile and all arms and legs and if you try to play him close you are liable to cop a stray elbow.
Caught up then with Carter Michael - again just a really impressive guy who is under no illusions about hard he is going to have to work to get a run but he is certainly up for it. Quick chat to Lachie as it was getting towards the end of the night. Steely determination there to go the extra couple of steps and is excited about what he sees in Will.
Next up was Dizzy - didn't realise he is so tall! At that stage of his career where he says the pre-season is a bit of a grind but he thinks the payoff will be worth it - again just a really down to earth person.
Last person I got to was Oscar - what a legend! Spoke about the midfield group and his smile was like a split watermelon "mate I am now spoiled for choices for the centre square bounces and around the ground hit outs.
Big thanks to all of them for making themselves available - would have been a long day for them but they all had a smile on their face and more than willing to have a chat to anyone that came up to them,
