Goodwood Saints aim to win top tier flag for ex-teammate and former Tiger Shane Tuck
Goodwood was rocked by the death of ex-teammate and Richmond player Shane Tuck this year and now – with his words ringing in their ears – the Saints hope to win a flag in his honour.
Local Sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Local Sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Goodwood Saints will need to look no further than the walls of its changerooms when searching for inspiration this Sunday.
The club was rocked when 2014 premiership star Shane Tuck – described as one of the most inspirational to have donned a Goodwood jumper – died suddenly in July this year.
Now some of the ex-Richmond player’s most memorable quotes and photos have been stuck on the walls of the Saints’ changerooms ahead of their division one decider against Rostrevor Old Collegians this Sunday.
Coach Luke Donaldson, who played in the Saints’ last Adelaide Footy League grand final alongside Tuck, said the news of the 38-year-old’s death was hard to swallow.
But the first-year mentor said Tuck, who played 173 AFL games for Richmond, would be with the players this weekend.
“I was mates with him (Shane) from when we were really young kids,” Donaldson said.
“He was a guy who made you walk taller, he’d do anything for his teammates, was a really selfless guy who committed himself wholeheartedly to anything.
“It’s inspired us to play in the same manner he did.”
Donaldson returned to the club to lead it into 2020 after ex-mentor Adam Jefferies stood down at the end of last season.
But the club favourite could have never imagined his first year at the helm would have had so many ups and downs.
The season almost did not get underway with the coronavirus pandemic and, when it did, the Saints lost their first three games and looked a far cry from finals action.
“There’s no doubt some of those circumstances and the adversity we’ve had to deal with had really galvanised the group,” Donaldson said.
“We feel like we prepared as well as possible so we will go in really confident.”
The Saints booked their top tier grand final berth with a seven-point victory over St Peter’s Old Collegians in the qualifying final a fortnight ago.
Skipper Lou Whitelock also featured in the 2014 and 2015 premiership side with Tuck and was keen to do his mate proud.
“Winning this year would be pretty special,” Whitelock said.
“We’ve had a challenging year … it would mean a lot to me personally, but a lot more to members of our community.
“Shane was an excellent man, he was very influential at this club.
“Ever since his passing, I don’t think we’ve lost a game.”
Team manager Craig Kirkbright, who reclaimed the role this year to help out Donaldson, was also close with Tuck.
He said Tuck was an “absolute genuine bloke” and players would use him as inspiration this weekend.
Goodwood Saints take on Rostrevor Old Collegians in the division one grand final at Norwood Oval on Sunday at 2.30pm.