PAST & PRESENT PLAYERS & OFFICIALS MEMBER NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020 EDITION

see do a wonderful job as The focus from your committee moving MC, Mark Jenkins administrating behind the forward is to: FROM THE scenes, special guests in Neale Daniher via a • Ensure we keep connected with our members prerecorded message, Glen Bartlett, , Chris Fagan, , Shane • Keep raising much needed funds, (please CHAIRMAN Woewodin, Adem Yze, , Daniel dig deep if you can via the GoFundMe page Ward, , , Paul or directly via any committee member) - ROD GRINTER Hopgood and funny man Titus O’Reily. As • Refining our structure and strategy to difficult as it was to engage with others online, elcome all, continue supporting the MFC P&PP&OA it started at 6.30 pm, running through our • Planning events for 2021 WI wanted to start agenda to around 8.30 to 9 pm, after which with the things that have assisted me getting members stayed online chatting and laughing As always, our thoughts are with those through this year – firstly, my family and then until about 11 pm. members who are struggling. Don’t ever the connection l’m fortunate to have through forget that we are here for anyone who needs It was an awesome effort by all those who the MFC. I’m part of a number of WhatsApp someone to talk to, so just pick up the phone or got involved to make it happen - albeit over a Groups where we share what we are up to, flick us an email. We are here to support you. computer - well done. funny stories, banter, political discussions A big thank you to all those who have around what decision we would make during contributed to our monthly newsletters, none this pandemic, all the expert footy coaches more so than our own Lynda Carroll for pulling and administration managers on what we them all together. would do at the MFC, and groups trying to pick a Saturday Quaddie as well as some To finish off, in case we don’t get footy bets. These groups are the Saturday another newsletter out before morning running group, the ODD group (Old Christmas - Merry Christmas to one Dilapidated Demons) chaired by our own and all, stay safe and enjoy the festive Neale Daniher, my Daniher Drive team and a holiday period with your families non-footy group. and close friends. May 2021 be the year we all prosper and enjoy the Thank you to each and every one of you for continued connection we all have helping me get through this year. via the Mighty Demons, and may the MFC have a successful 2021. 2020 Annual Reunion via Zoom Keep an eye on our website and Instagram, ur MFCP&PP&OA committee member, and pass on this newsletter to ensure constant Paul Hopgood, came up with the idea O communication to our members. of still holding our Annual Reunion on the A tough three months in Vic Metro is now Thursday before the AFL Grand Final, but paying off with Stage 4 restrictions easing, As always, stay safe and healthy. via Zoom. To be honest, l was sceptical as to which has allowed us to get out and about how this would work, but thanks to so many, re-connecting with extended family. Of course, Regards it was a great night in front of the computer catching up with mates at the pub has also Rod Grinter with over 85 members joining in to listen and been great. MFC P&PP&OA Chairman

3 x Anonymous John Collett Spike Harris Diane Mountney BENEVOLENT FUND Football Club Liz Coningsby Karen Hayes AM Jeremy Nichols The Demon Army Chris Connolly Chris Heffernan Stephen Powell Western Demons Penny Connolly Ben Holland Guy Rigoni UPDATE AM Ray ‘Smokey’ Dawson Paul Hopgood Russell Robertson hank you to all those who have continued Don Baron Eric Dick Mark Jenkins Cameron Schwab T to contribute to our GoFundMe campaign, Clint Bizzell Colleen Dooley Clyde Laidlaw Troy Simmonds providing invaluable resourcing to help Simon Eishold Harold Lubansky Steven Smith support members in need. This list shows the Graeme Brassington Jackie Emmerton Phil Madick Brian Stynes cross-section of the MFC P&PP&A community Paul Burnham Ian George Gary Marchant Janette Sutherland who have donated Lynda Carroll Simon Godfrey David Martin Tricia Thorne so far in 2020. Dave Cawsey Bernadette Grinter Peter McKenna Andrew Chrapot Rod Grinter Mike McShane Ken Whitfort DONATE NOW Or go to: gofundme.com and search MFC P&PP&OA PAST & PRESENT PLAYERS & OFFICIALS MEMBER NEWSLETTER NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2020

‘Ray’s a great fella. We always used to play together at the golf days before he moved GUY RIGONI to be up on the river.’ The connections are f there was ever a sight to entertain important, and reunions create the ideal I the virtual crowds who gathered to the platform to maintain them, no matter how Association’s Zoom reunion on the night of much time has passed. 22 October, it undoubtedly had to be past As well as being a star of the reunion, Rigoni player Guy Rigoni, decked out in full black tie has been working hard at Williams Adams, – or so we thought. where he has been for fifteen years now, ‘I figured everyone needed a bit of a laugh’, starting in a part-time role through the AFL’s he explains. ‘We’ve all been locked down, Ray Carr and Guy Rigoni ‘Next Goal’ program, before moving to a full- we’re all going a bit crazy! I had jeans on the time position even as he was still playing at bottom, though.’ them check their phones’, he laughs. Sandringham. Rigoni is also a recent donor to the Association’s Benevolent Fund. ‘I’ve It was this sort of ingredient that helped Reunions, and getting together, are as been able to keep working during COVID, to make the reunion something special, important to Rigoni as they are to most of the right through the lockdown, and so many particularly as everyone taking part had no past player population. ‘They’re a great way people have lost their jobs. I thought it was idea of how it would all work. ‘The people to stay in contact, and to share stories – and a good idea, to support those who are not who spoke were great’, says Rigoni. As well the stories get better as you get older.’ Like so fortunate as I have been.’ It is a thought as that, he thoroughly enjoyed keeping an many, Rigoni is looking forward to a real life shared by many, as the growing parade of eye on former teammates, keeping them on reunion in 2021, particularly to catch up with donors shows, and we welcome Guy Rigoni – their toes as the evening continued. ‘I was the likes of fellow past player – and former black tie and all – to the list. texting in the background, then watching Association committee member – Ray Carr. LOOKING FOR…. DEMONS NETWORK PROGRAM s our quest continues to track down and ROHAN BAIL - ENCOMPASS FIRST AID situations. At the very least, they will be first A confirm contact details for as many past aid qualified and compliant to take on the players and officials as possible, we’d like to ncompass First Aid was founded in early role of a workplace first aider. thank everyone who’s helped out this season, E 2020 with the vision to provide industry when it has been so important to keep in leading public safety courses for businesses Our nationally recognised touch. Every month, we have managed to who need them for compliance purposes. courses can be designed add at least a few complete details to the to suit the timetables and Our founders and trainers are all first First Aid list, which wouldn’t have happened without location of any business. responders with real life industry experience the involvement of the wider P&PP&OA in emergency medical response scenarios. FOR MORE INFORMATION: community. We are now seeking: [email protected] - Provide first aid Russell Richards Troy Shannon Learners will walk away with the knowledge www.encompassfirstaid.com.au HLTAID002 - Provide basic emergency life support Nicholas Smith and confidence to respond to similar Toni - 0422 639 312 | Rohan - 0402 708 569 Dannie Seow David Rodan HLTAID001 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation Scott Simister Pete Roberts VALE BEN NANCARROW MERCHANDISE CORNER t was with great sadness that we heard ssociation long sleeved I of the recent passing of Ben Nancarrow, A t-shirts are selling well, trainer in the lean era following the club’s with only a limited quantity of 1964 premiership. Being bestowed with sizes still available - S, M, L, This course is delivered and assessed on behalf of Allens Training Pty Ltd RTO 90909 by Encompass First Life Membership in 1980 was the ultimate XL &Aid. XXL. $40 +$10 testament to Ben’s countless seasons of postage. Order now to service, and his dedication to the red and avoid disappointment! FOOTY ALMANAC blue family over many years. He will be We also have ecently, our very own John Gallus featured greatly missed by all who knew him, and Association ties and R on one of the best footy community long remembered for his friendship and COVID-compliant websites around - Almanac Footy: John good humour, both on and off the field. snoods available. To Gallus – The journey through football purchase, contact We pass on our most sincere condolences to (footyalmanac.com.au) Enjoy the read, and Jackie Emmerton Ben’s wife, Catherine, and to his family and congratulations to John on such a wonderful on 0409 806 750 or friends. football life. [email protected]

mfcpastplayers.com.au Instagram @mfcpastplayers