Comedians throw their weight behind the Nunawading revival

A TRIO of comedians who also happen to be handy footballers are pulling on the boots to help struggling EFL club Nunawading.

The Nelson twins, Justin and Chris, have signed on at Nunawading.

FOUR years ago, they took the reality television world by storm after their stand-up comedy success on stage and screen in Australia’s Got Talent.

On Saturday at Blackburn North’s Koonung Reserve, identical twins Justin and Chris Nelson — yes, they are known collectively as the Nelson Twins — will guest star for Nunawading’s seniors in their EFL Division 4 clash against Kilsyth.

A couple of hours later, if they are still standing, the 34-year-olds will star off the ground with their self-effacing, biting, Aussie larrikin style of stand-up comedy as part of Nunawading Football Club’s big fundraising day.

Right beside them on the field and on stage later will be their close mate and fellow comedian, Evan Hocking, a former TAC Cup and VFL midfielder himself and brother of Essendon’s Heath Hocking.

Nunawading’s new recruits.

There is a good reason why the Nelson Twins look like “mountain men”. They were Mountain Men, the nickname for Mitta United Football Club (in the alpine area northeast of Melbourne near Mt Beauty and Falls Creek), where the twins played up until three years ago.

And not just play.

They are both triple premiership players for Mitta in the Tallangatta & District Football League. And both TDFL league medallists, Justin in 2003 and Chris in 2009.

While their regular playing days are behind all three of Nunawading’s guest comedians, the trio still stay fit and should provide a handy midfield combination on Saturday.

But the day more about the club, Justin told the Leader.

“People underestimate the importance of footy clubs in the community,” he said.

“The role they play, the lifelong friends you make, the spirit they encourage. Nunawading is no different.”

Nunawading’s Dreamtime jumper

Club president and reserves coach Wayne Devene said the three lads had kindly volunteered their services and would appear in the clubrooms from 7pm for the big comedy night.

Saturday also marks a special Dreamtime game for Nunawading, whose players will wear special jumpers adorned with Aboriginal artwork in both games, as well as a reunion of the club’s 2006 reserve grade premiership-winning team.

Devene, who created the artwork for the jumpers, will also be full of pride watching nephew Connor Diezmann, who will travel from Queensland just for the occasion, wear No.5 (Devene’s playing number before a recent kidney transplant operation ended his season) for the Lions.

More info on the comedy night from Wayne Devene (0412 937 109).