SPORT BRIDGES THE GAP
Sport, and football in particular, has the unique ability to meld a massively diverse blend of characters into a united and all conquering gaggle of sporting heroes. It bonds people who would otherwise be unable to tolerate each other’s presence in the same room.
The Hills’ Superules team is a classic example of this.
Where else could protagonists from Kersbrook, Echunga, Gumeracha, Nairne, Macclesfield, Meadows, Lobethal, Uraidla and Onkas put aside decades of localised feuding which have made the American Civil War look like a church fete.
To see Kim Pearce, who holds the world record for on field sledging of non “Brookers”, praising Gumeracha’s “Earth Man” Alex Tucker for his courageous play, is a sight to behold.
For more than 10 years Chris Hill, with his passionate affiliation with Lobethal, has cheerfully partnered Neil Thomson, who cruelly mocks the alternate Tiger team. This club culture of tolerance has become a feature of the Hills’ team as recent recruits Mark Jaensch and Damien Dolman from Nairne have gelled beautifully.
This club culture of tolerance has also been enhanced by a conscious strategy of recruiting players whose values and occupations complement each other.
This concept is modeled on Michael Nunan’s successful strategy employed with North Adelaide during the 1980s.The Rooster’s captain John Riley, a nuclear physicist, found himself surrounded by players who could barely spell their name. Desperate not to lose Riley to MENSA, Nunan recruited Neil Craig, who despite being in the twilight of his career, could provide someone to converse with the scientist. Craig could also translate Nunan’s game plan into small bite size portions for the players to swallow. Team harmony and balance restored, Nunan oversaw a reasonably successful era.
The Supertigers have followed this blue print.
Ron Berry’s unhealthy fixation with numbers had often seen him ostracized by others who couldn’t appreciate his predilection.The signing of fellow accountant, Andrew Frohling has enticed Berry to continue playing as he strives to match his 400 games played for Echunga; as a proportionally representative equivalent.
Beer plumber, Rob McGregor, joined 5 years ago to ensure Kim Pearce had someone to talk to about his favourite hobby.
Meadows man Paul “Fluff” Woods was constantly bending the law and so the team recruited law enforcer Darren “SAS Man” Watkins to keep him on the straight and narrow.
Simon Kemp, who ensures new housing structures are erected with functioning electrical systems, is balanced by David “Runt” Wuttke, who guarantees old housing structures are delightfully demolished.
Chris Hill finally found a soul mate in funeral director Dick Kleemann. One transports goods from one location to another and the other helps transport people from this world to the next.
Saturday night at Mt Lofty provided more evidence that this wonderful recipe for geriatric football success is working.
Facing traditional local rival Blackwood, the Hills team dominated a sparkling exhibition under lights.The balcony at Mt Lofty was packed for a good 10 minutes of the match as the crowd, which swelled after the “A” grade curtain raiser, marveled at how people that old could still play the game.
They were treated to the rare spectacle of full forward, Gary “Plugger” Magee participating in a pre match warm up. The gasps were audible when Gary twanged his hamstring with his first kick and retired for the night before the first bounce.
Undeterred, Aleks Bojanic and Damon Wilson dominated in ruck which provided Dick Kleemann and Wayne Seymour with armchair rides.
The conditions became very challenging due to persistent “Mt. Lofty Mist” but players maintained a truly sporting focus to ensure the spirit of the game prevailed.Excellent, common sense umpiring, which ensured the old guy going for the ball was protected, assisted in the game being declared a triumph of sportsmanship over aggression, and Tigers over Woods.
Much credit must go to the Blackwood Superules delegate Joe Turci, who ensured a good natured group played “Footy for fun”.
For the Supertigers Chris Geraghty was resolute in defence, even providing some unrewarded runs, and Matt Ormsby and Damon Wilson grabbed marks like it was dry.
Damian Dolman became the first bearded Supertigers player for more than a decade and played like a man possessed.Damian “Dom” Ryde was sensational, handling the ball beautifully, and Paul Zoontjens displayed great desperation across half back. Paul claims he can’t remember much of the 80’s at North.
Stirling Hotel vouchers went to Geraghty and Kemp but many others could have been rewarded had they passed successfully to Bojanic.
HILLS 19 – 16 BLACKWOOD 3 – 5
Best: Geraghty, Kemp, Ormsby, Wuttke, Kleemann, Pearce, Ryde
Goals; McGill 3, Wilson, Ryde, Ormsby, Watt, Pearce 2, Dolman, Bojanic, Kleemann, Snooks, Seymour, Wiley
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