Kudos for Hay Lions
Dear Tertia,
Just writing to you about the footy reunion day last Saturday for the ’82 and ’92 Aussie Rules premiership teams. Congratulations to the Hay Lions and Netball Club for putting on a great show that was both well run and well attended. Being part of that 70’ and 80s era, it was great to catch up with a lot of familiar and not so familiar faces (40 years is a long time …) and my apologies for not recognizing a few.
Being from that era, the highlight of the day for me and everyone else I think, was the attendance of our ’82 premiership coach, Frank Cranage who made the journey from Ballarat to mark the occasion. Frank has been living in a nursing home for the last 10 years and has had to overcome a lot of adversity. His presence on Saturday was both a phenomenal effort and inspiration to everyone.
A special thanks to his carer for bringing him to Hay.
There were plenty of stories told on Saturday, all true, but one I would like to share with you is about Frank himself: The week before the grand final in ’82, Frank suffered an injured ankle and was doing his job as woolpresser at Mailbag Gunbar Station. On the Friday before the grand final, it was cut-out day at the shed and all the wool had to be pressed up before he could leave. Frank pressed 62 bales of wool that day and got back to Hay about 9 that night. To put it in perspective, 40 bales of wool pressed is a good day’s work.
Next day, he led Hay to their historic win over Appin, the first in Hay’s history in Australian Rules. Pressing 62 bales of wool the day before, carrying an injury and leading Hay to a premiership. Now that’s what legends are made of.
Great to see Dennis Dunstan and team was well and ’92 was another great highlight in Hay’s Aussie Rules history.
Before I go, I would like to mention the performance of Ronnie Murray, an indigenous player and a very good one I’m told from the ’92 team, and his rendition with the didgeridoo. What a talent, and what a great way to celebrate the night.
Just a thought, let’s make the next reunion in five years. Ten years is too long. For the record, I was not a part of the ’82 premiership team, but it was the most enjoyable game anywhere I have ever watched.
Cheers and good luck
Sandy Symons.
