Posted by Lawrence Reddaway
Team Gathering at Sophia’s
 
Prizes were handed out at the Salvo Hawks team gathering at Sophia’s Pizza and Pasta Restaurant. Rotary Hawthorn got an honourable mention, but no trophy (thank goodness – where would we have kept it?!)
 
Katrina and I attended; and I said a few words to express our gladness at being able to help out, and to thank everyone for making us so welcome.  I think I also said how proud we were that we (essentially Mick and Katrina) had got the scoreboard working.  That thought was spoiled by the fact that, at the last home game, we simply could not get it to work.  Mick and Katrina have bravely taken on the task of cajoling the Boroondara Council to improve the system before next footy season!
 
 
Grand Final Series
 
This was not a customary grand final. Over the course of three consecutive days, each team plays one match.  And every player of every team gets a medallion.  This is in line with the ethos of the RecLink League – it’s about the triumph of motivating oneself to participate; to play special-rules footy; and (in many cases) to celebrate another day of holding an addiction at bay.
 
The match between the Salvo Hawks and a new team from Melton started at 10.30, under sunny conditions.  Casey Radio broadcast from its caravan. Rotary Sunbury provided catering from their special trailer.  Katrina and I cheered as our Salvo Hawks trotted out onto the field – what a range of ages, stages and statures!  A pleasant time was had chatting with other hangers-on, as our Rotary Hawthorn hi-viz vests promoted who we were, and watching the play when it came up our end of the field.
 
Alas, the Melton Lions won.  But, being new, they weren’t much acquainted with the special rules – for which they were duly penalised. For example, I saw a big Lion gently hustle a small female Hawk, forgetting that touching females is forbidden; so ‘our Katey’ was advanced to the very mouth of the goal, from which she duly kicked a goal – just!
 
I’m looking forward to Rotary Hawthorn continuing our good work with the Salvo Hawks next season (presumably starting in April as usual.)  And I ask every member to try to attend at least one Home Match!