The softer side of Modra: How a former AFL great is kicking goals on orange cutting duty

From former AFL great, to chief orange cutter for his kids’ junior sports teams, life for one Crows legend couldn’t be sweeter — and the reason why is simple. Now he wants to give back.

To many, former high flying forward Tony Modra is the Crows greatest-ever goal kicker but to his kids, he’s simply a devoted sideline dad who can be relied upon to bring the halftime oranges.

And there is nothing he and exercise physiologist wife Erica love more than cheering on Hayley, 11, a “tough” netball defender and seven-year-old soccer and football fanatic, Luke.

“Watching the kids play sport is our favourite thing — it’s as simple as that,” the newly-named City-Bay ambassador says.

The Modras still marvel at the miracle that is their young son who spent the first 82 days in the Flinders Medical Centre Neonatal Unit after being born at 28 weeks gestation.

“(This is especially so) when we watch him play sport — how he could start out like that and be so strong and healthy now,” says his proud dad.

“We see what (the staff) did pay off every day in Luke.”

These days the youngest Modra plays club soccer, as well as school and club footy while he and his sister are also keen tennis players.

Tony Modra, wife Erica and children Hayley, 11, and Luke, 7, at Goodwood Oval. Picture: Tom Huntley

Modra says he hasn’t yet been roped into coaching a junior side but says he is happy to lend a hand whenever it is needed.

“And I’m pretty good at the oranges,” the 50-year-old laughs.

The Modras will walk the 6km circuit at the popular annual fun run in September, raising funds for Little Heroes Foundation which helps children facing cancer and other serious illnesses.

“Hayley and Luke are starting to get a sense of how kids even their age can help support important causes and make a difference in the world,” Modra says.

“Hayley has very strong memories of how included she was in Luke’s care in the neonates, the staff there are a big reason for the strong bond with her little brother.

“Luke is really interested in the pictures from his neonatal time and wants to know what all tubes and equipment actually did to keep him alive — he’s a bit of a scientist like his mum.”

The SA Football Hall of Famer says his family will always be grateful for the care they got when little Luke was in hospital.

“Sometimes we bump into staff from Flinders and thank them for ‘growing him up’ so well over those first few months,” Modra says.

“Whenever we drive past Flinders the kids wave and say, ‘Hi Luke’s hospital’.

“Luke is good buddies with some of the kids he was in neonates with and they catch up when they can, they’ve all come so far they’ll always have a special bond.”

Apart from the kids’ sport, the Modras bush walk whenever time allows with Belair National Park, the River Torrens and the Modra family farm at Encounter Bay all favourite destinations.

“I’m walking more on the golf course and giving the cart a miss (and) Erica is tennis coaching a lot which keeps her in pretty good knick,” Modra says.

As for his own AFL-playing days, what did he like best — and least?

“I loved the swimming and anything with the ball and I liked the weights and plyometrics, especially if it was a bit competitive with the other fellas — the straight out running drills weren’t my favourite,” he says.

To donate to Mod’s fundraising link for Little Heroes, go to https://citybay2019.everydayhero.com/au/mods-to-tackle-the-city-to-bay-for-little-heroes