Mt Waverley’s Stan Nelson, 101, wins Baptcare Brindabilla Day Centre’s footy tipping competition
Mad Richmond fan Stan Nelson has proven age is no barrier to becoming a footy tipping king. And after triumphing over nearly 50 entrants to win an Ashwood care centre’s annual competition, he’s revealed how he picked the winners.
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It’s taken a few years, but Stan Nelson has finally broken his footy tipping hoodoo.
The mad Richmond fan from Mt Waverley triumphed over nearly 50 other entrants in Baptcare Brindabilla Day Centre’s annual competition.
He led all season and romped home with 131 points, four ahead of a staff member from the Ashwood centre in second place.
Mr Nelson, 101, had never won a footy tipping contest despite years of entering work and social competitions.
He began going to the centre this year on Tuesdays for social activities and put his tips in every week.
“I think it’s the greatest fluke ever; I haven’t been in a tipping contest for at least five years,” Mr Nelson said.
Apart from the odd look at the ladder, he just picked whatever teams sounded good to him.
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“All I do is put the paper in front of me and say ‘that one, that one and that one’,” he said.
“There’s no special formula, I just guess, but I make sure Richmond is always on top.”
Mr Nelson’s favourite player in his heyday was Jack Dyer and today he’s a huge fan of Dustin Martin.
He’s ruled out getting a tattoo like Dusty with his tipping prizemoney, but is going to mention his victory in his memoirs, which he’s writing with the help of his family.
“There’ll be a little story on Brindabilla,” he said.
“It’s a great surprise and it’s made me feel very happy.”
Mr Nelson hopes to keep his winning streak going in the centre’s sweeps for Brownlow Medal and Premiership winners.
He’s backed Martin to take home the medal, and his beloved Tigers for the flag.
“They’re consistently good (the Tigers), they train very hard and they’re working as a team, not as individuals.”