Norwood premiership hero Ben Warren keeps it in the family with Langhorne Creek’s GSFL flag win

Teaming up with his brother to win a flag four decades after their father at Langhorne Creek was about more than just family for Ben Warren. It also served as a reminder of the important role football played in uniting country communities.

Ben Warren and his Langhorne Creek teammates celebrate last season’s Great Southern Football League premiership success. Picture: Facebook

• Former Legs coach helps Hawks swoop to another flag
• Local footy’s contenders and pretenders in 2019

Teaming up with his brother to win a premiership four decades after their father achieved the same feat at their hometown club was about more than just family for Ben Warren.

Last year’s Great Southern Football League flag triumph with Langhorne Creek also served as a reminder of the important role country football played in uniting regional communities.

COUNTRY FOOTY 2019 MAGAZINE IN THE SUNDAY MAIL (STATE EDITION) THIS WEEKEND

“It was a great thrill,” SANFL premiership player and coach Warren said.

“It was a great day for the community — it’s as much about the community as it is the football team itself.

“You can see there’s some issues with country football when you go further out.

“Some clubs are buying players, some are folding or merging.

“It’s a bit of a worry, but hopefully there’s a strategy in place to ensure they can keep country football thriving.

“It’s an important part of society and we certainly need to ensure that football survives in those communities.”

Warren returned to his junior club to play six games for the Hawks in 2017, before emerging as a key cog in their march to last season’s flag alongside his younger sibling, Nick Warren.

The 189cm forward booted 27 goals in 12 outings, including three majors in the 24-point grand final victory over McLaren, as Langhorne ended a six-year premiership drought.

He followed in the footsteps of Dad, Geoff Warren, who helped the club collect consecutive titles from 1975-78.

“It’s obviously pretty tough to win premierships,” Warren, who was raised in Langhorne Creek, said.

“So to do it at the club where my Dad played over 400 games and is a life member, and my brother is a life member, was good.

“In an era where there’s a lot of paid players and imports, we have a small community and we don’t have the players and the resources that maybe some other clubs have.

“But our top end talent was very good and we had a lot of kids who just played their role and did their bit for the team.

Ben Warren (left) with son Ashton and brother Nick Warren, with his son James, following Langhorne Creek’s GSFL flag triumph. Picture: Supplied

Ben Warren celebrates a goal for Norwood in the 2013 grand final. Picture: Sarah Reed

“We had a really strong group dynamic and it was great fun.”

The premiership glory, which followed the 2012-13 flags Warren claimed as a player with the Redlegs and his 2014 success as a coach, proved to be his on-field swan song.

He hung up his boots last year to concentrate on a role working with Sturt’s midfielders under new Double Blues mentor Nathan Grima.

Warren, who also steered Langhorne to victory in the Alexandra & Eastern Hills cricket grand final last month, vowed to support the Hawks’ championship defence.

“It doesn’t always come together and end how you like sometimes,” said Warren, who also spent 10 seasons with South Adelaide during his 205-game SANFL career.

“But it seemed like a good way to finish on a premiership.

“I’m 38 this year and I’ve just had enough.

“But my brother is still playing and my Mum and Dad go along each week.

“I’ve got a strong connection with the club, so I’ll certainly get down there to watch.”

GREAT SOUTHERN LEAGUE ROUND 1

Saturday

Goolwa/Pt Elliot vs McLaren at Goolwa, 2.30pm

Langhorne Creek vs Encounter Bay at Langhorne Creek, 2.30pm

Victor Harbor vs Strathalbyn at Victor, 2.30pm

Willunga vs Mt Compass at Willunga, 2.30pm

Yankalilla vs Myponga- Sellicks at Yankalilla, 2.30pm