Tommy's Proteges

 

Tommy Hafey coached four VFL/AFL teams for a total of 522 matches. Twenty of his players subsequently went on to coach at senior VFL/AFL level, four became premiership coaches, Kevin Sheedy, Tony Jewell, Mick Malthouse and Mark Williams, while two, Sheeds and Mick, have each coached more than 500 VFL/AFL matches. What a magnificent legacy.

Hosted by Jeff “Coodabeen Champions” Richardson, a packed room of 260 guests at Hilton on the Park recognised Tommy’s achievement at the second Tommy Hafey Club lunch for 2010 on Friday 16th July. Five protégés, Kevin Sheedy, Damian Drum, Tony Jewell, Barry Richardson and Paul Sproule were special guests while Mal Brown, who coached in the WAFL after his Richmond playing days, made a special appearance as our Yalumba Yarn guest. Mal was his usual colourful self, entertaining the audience with recollections of how he almost became a Collingwood player, until the great Graeme Richmond got wind of the situation and stepped in!

All of Tommy’s protégés identified similar qualities in the great man, which they subsequently sought to emulate in their coaching careers, such as focus on team, off field camaraderie, a simple but effective game plan and loyalty to your players. Tommy in turn identified qualities such as team player and astute football brain as key characteristics of his protégés.

CEO Brendon Gale talked about future major partnership opportunities opening up with the Tigers with major co-sponsors Dick Smith and LuxBet.com set to pursue different relationships with the club. He also talked about the prospects of the Tigers playing home matches in Hobart some-time in the future.

Jeff Richardson welcomed our player guests including captain Chris Newman, Mitch Farmer and Alex Rance. Captain Chris was obviously thrilled with the recent form of the young Tigers, and especially pleased with the improved form of his back-line. Mitch Farmer told the audience about his journey from Craigeburn and the Calder Cannons, to Port Adelaide and now to Tigerland, while Alex Rance, our Tommy Hafey Club sponsored player, spoke optimistically about his current form and expectations for senior selection.

The Hilton is a first class venue with excellent food complemented by our wine sponsor Yalumba’s fine wines.

The VIP table draw was won by the Adrian Dunn table to much acclaim. Adrian and 9 of his guests now get the chance to lunch out on the $500 dining voucher generously provided by Michael Burke of the Malvern Hotel (corner Glenferrie and Malvern Roads, Malvern). Eligibility for the VIP table prize is open to all table bookings of 10 guests.

The business card winner took home a magnum of the Yalumba “Signature Shiraz”, while the four auction items attracted spirited bidding:

  1. The unique DYER43 number plates sold for $2,300. 
  2. The framed Richmond jumper signed by Kevin Bartlett, Ian Stewart, Mick Malthouse, Barry Richardson, Neil Balme, Paul Sproule, Francis Bourke, John Northey, Kevin Sheedy, Tony Jewell and the master coach himself Tommy Hafey, went for $2,000.
  3. The framed Team of the Century print, signed by the coach of the team Tommy Hafey, brought $1,000.
  4. The Richmond Adelaide August 1st footy experience package reached  $1,750.In addition, the silent auction organised and run by Michael Bourke from Memorabilia Magic, was a great success.

As usual, the day ended with a full-blooded rendition of the Richmond theme song, but this time it was a video version of the boys singing the song after one of their recent victories; most inspiring.

Many lingered after the official proceedings ended for catch ups and to rub shoulders with some of the famous names in the room including Tommy, Richo, Brendon Gale, Roger Dean, Neville Crowe, Ron Branton, Mike Perry, Wayne Campbell, Ian Wilson to name some, while those who could, adjourned to the bar for “quite a few” coldies.

Another hugely entertaining and enjoyable Tommy Hafey Club function.

 

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