EFL 2019: Kyle Hird joins in Fairpark premiership celebrations
This Ferntree Gully footy team was on the cusp of its first premiership in 24 years when the ruckman was taken down with a broken leg. But the close-knit club ensured their battle-scarred teammate still “got a reception like a hero”.
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As Fairpark celebrated its first premiership in 24 years on Sunday, coach Sean Stanton made a dash to the hospital.
Thoughts were with injured ruckman Kyle Hird, who was taken from Scoresby Reserve with a serious leg injury.
Hird’s leg appeared to be on a 90-degree angle after he was taken in a tackle during the third quarter.
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FAIRPARK WINS FIRST FLAG SINCE 1995
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The EFL Division 4 grand final was stopped for 30 minutes while an ambulance arrived in distressing scenes for players and supporters.
🆠Fairpark wins its first senior premiership since 1995, defeating East Burwood by 15 points in the #EFLDIV4 GF. Ronnie McKendry wins the Colin Tainton Blue Ribbon Medal for best afield with three goals. Captain Jesse Pearce and coach Sean Stanton hold the cup aloft: pic.twitter.com/mOddYPXLP2
— Dan (@DC_EFL) September 8, 2019
Love the emotion in this photo of @EasternlionsFC celebrating its first @footyefl flag in 24 years. Pic: @AndyBrownbill pic.twitter.com/XPoUhQvn6j
— Toby Prime (@T_Prime2) September 9, 2019
“I went down straight away and saw it was sideways,” Hird said.
“I heard the cracks and the pop.
“I was on my back and I thought I had a fair break in my ankle and I looked down and it was on a right angle.”
Hird was taken to Dandenong Hospital, where it was revealed he had a break in his fibula and cracks in his ankle.
The refrigeration mechanic said the diagnosis was better than first thought.
“They thought it would need a number of plates and screws but I got off fairly lightly,” he said.
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Hird’s father kept him updated with scores when he left the ground before word filtered through with just seconds remaining Fairpark would win the premiership.
His spirits were further lifted when Stanton arrived at the hospital with the premiership cup and to present him his medallion.
By 10.30pm, he had returned to the club with his leg in a cast to join in the celebrations.
“I got a reception like a hero,” he said.
“Because I didn’t get to sing the song with them, the first thing we did … I had a beer out of the cup and then we sang the song.”
Fairpark’s 15-point triumph over East Burwood was just the club’s second flag and first since 1995.
Doctors told him to stay off the beers but Hird said he would enjoy a couple of cold refreshments.
“They said maybe keep off it but I don’t think I could,” he said.
“I had to have one or two in the celebrations.”
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