Pembroke Old Scholars meet Athelstone in division three amateur football grand final
BEN Hill-Ling has been on the brink of retiring for four years but the thought of winning a flag with mates keeps him coming back to Pembroke Old Scholars Football Club.
BEN Hill-Ling has been on the brink of retiring for four years but the thought of winning a flag with mates keeps him coming back to Pembroke Old Scholars Football Club.
Hill-Ling, 30, has never seen an A-grade premiership since joining the Kings from Pembroke School 13 years ago.
The defender played in a “gut-wrenching” grand final loss in 2004 and was sidelined with a knee injury as the club fell at the last hurdle in 2006.
He hopes the drought ends in his swan song on Saturday when the Kings play Athelstone in the division three amateur grand final at Thebarton Oval.
“I’ve probably been retiring for four years now so the lure of that grand final keeps bringing me out,” Hill-Ling, of Kensington Park, says.
“I thought last year my days were definitely done but eventually got itchy feet and before you know it you’re at training again.
“Winning one (flag) would be bittersweet to something that’s been 13 years in the making.
“That’s why I’ve been playing footy – to share something and create something awesome with mates.”
The Kings have not won an A-grade flag since 1998.
Hill-Ling attributes the club’s success this year to maintaining a core squad for several seasons, improving at contested football and recruiting triple Magarey Medallist James Allan.
“We’re just a bit more mature, the bodies are a bit bigger and you can really start to compete with the district clubs which are normally of that older age bracket.”
Hill-Ling cites a growing number of “old man injuries” and a desire to spend more time with family as reasons for hanging up the boots.
“I’ll definitely miss the camaraderie, mateship and being able to kick back in the rooms and celebrate a win.”