Shute Shield Grand Final: Rugby a family affair for Ahmu Tuimalealiifano in Gordon v Eastwood
He rings his family every day to check in. But sadly they will all be absent from the crowd when Ahmu Tuimalealiifano runs out for Gordon in the Shute Shield final.
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The last phone call Ahmu Tuimalealiifano will make before he bunkers down to prepare for the Shute Shield grand final will be to his dad and sister.
They will have a quick catch-up, catch up and a chat about the game ahead, how it will play out and what he needs to do.
Then he will go out “and do them proud.”
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“I haven’t seen them for so long and I miss them heaps,” Tuimalealiifano said. “I call them all the time to check in.”
His immediate family live in Melbourne, where he himself would probably have been if coach Darren Coleman hadn’t offered him a spot in a Gordon team now chasing their first Shute Shield crown since 1998.
“It’s (the lockdown) has definitely taken a toll in my family,” said Tuimalealiifano, who has cousins attending the game.
“They are stuck inside and haven’t been able to visit and they can’t come and watch the grand final which is sad.
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“I call my sister and dad before games on Saturday’s and then Dad again after the games.
“He gives me tips on what I should and shouldn’t do.
“It gives me something to play for, they are always on my mind.”
Tuimalealiifano, a product of the Melbourne Rebels Under 20s program, has been outstanding for Gordon this season.
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Born in Preston to Samoan parents and a mum who said he had to play AFL not rugby as a kid because he was too skinny, scored twice in Gordon’s stellar 28-10 win over Easts which secured them a spot in the Shute Shield grand final against Eastwood on Saturday.
Gordon are favourites heading into the match after already securing the minor premiership.
The last time they won the title was back in 1998 and comes two years after they went through the 2018 season without a win.
SHUTE SHIELD GRAND FINAL
Saturday at Leichhardt Oval (3pm AEDT)
Gordon v Eastwood
Live TV on 7Two and 7plus