Pot Shots: ‘Who’s on granddad?’ Former VFA star Steve Hamill makes comeback at 52

His mind was willing but his body had other ideas; Crib Point coach Steve Hamill talks about his comeback. Plus, a cricket recruit makes a strong impression.

Steve Hamill runs out with Crib Point's reserves side.

They say football is a young man’s game and Crib Point coach Steve Hamill definitely agrees.

At 52, Hamill made a comeback last Saturday, lining up in the Magpies reserves. It was out of necessity after after a couple of players pulled out on the morning of the game, leaving the side short.

The former Frankston Dolphins captain and best and fairest winner ran out for his first game since 2008 and plonked himself in the centre “because you don’t have to run very far”.

He enjoyed the experience, especially the lighthearted banter from his young Rye opponents.

“The Rye fellas were really good, there was a bit of banter going on,” Hamill said.

“At one stage someone said, ‘are you playing on your granddad?’.

“Another bloke said, ‘mate, you’re getting a couple of kicks, you must be 45 at least?’ I said, ‘yep, I’m only 45, I’ll take that’.”

Steve Hamill tackles a Rye opponent.

So, getting out there again, we asked, was it just like riding a bike?

“My mind still thought I was a 30-year-old and I knew where I had to run to but the body was going, ah, I think I should take it a little bit more conservatively. So I did that,” he said.

“As you get a bit older you think you’re as strong as you were but you’re not.

“I worked out I’m not a marking player. I forgot I didn’t take a mark when I was a player. Some whippersnapper out-marked me twice.”

And what would Hamill’s former Dolphins teammates from the early 1990s make of his comeback?

“I’m sure they’re shaking their heads thinking what is that old fool doing?,” Hamill said.

He hoped his appearance was a one-off.

REQUIRED NOT RETIRED

Hamill wasn’t the only oldtimer to come out of retirement.

Cribby assistant coach Andrew Gilmour also laced up in the same game.

“They’ve got a saying at Crib Point, and I love it, ‘you’re only retired until you’re required’,” Hamill chuckled.

Will Hamill training with the Adelaide Crows.

WILLING CROW

Hamill’s 18-year-old son Will has just signed a two-year contract extension with the Adelaide Crows.

Steve said Will has enjoyed his first season with the Crows. He is yet to crack it for a senior game but has been in the best players in Adelaide’s seconds which sit in second spot in the SANFL.

TIGERS DOUBLE UP

It’s been a rugged season for South Mornington in Division 4 of the VAFA, managing only two wins.

And with players unavailable due to overseas holidays, work commitments and the like, the Tigers have been stretched for numbers in recent weeks, so much so that last week 14 players had to lace up in two games on the same day, playing in the reserves and then in the seniors.

SHARKS AT MCG

What a thrill for the region’s best young cricketers.

The Under 14 and 16 South East Country Sharks teams trained at the MCG indoor nets last Friday, going through their paces on the pitches used by Australian and international stars.

The Sharks are in the process of putting together strong squads for this coming summer.

U16 coach Jason Nagel said the talent on offer was high-end.

Will Borthwick, Rahul Rajeshbabu, Zak Bauer and Nicholas Pastras are just some names to watch.

Dwayne Field will visit his former cricket club in England.

FIELD OF DREAMS

Flinders cricket champ Dwayne Field is about to relive his glory days.

He’s heading to England in a few weeks for a family holiday, and he’s especially looking forward to returning to Stillington Cricket Club in York, where he played a season in 2000.

Field hopes to play a game or two.

While there, Fieldy will catch up with his great pal, the former West Indies all-rounder Collis King. The pair played together at Stillington and have remained good friends. King came out to Australia and played with Flinders in 2000-01.

Matt Gale playing for Queensland.

GALE FORCE

Former Queensland paceman Matt Gale bowled his first ball as a Flinders cricketer recently (in the indoor nets), and the Sharks liked what they saw.

“I think he was taking it pretty easy but he still looks as sharp as anyone in our team,” Field said.

And don’t be surprised if Gale attracts a recruit or two.

“Maybe. He’s talking about it,” Field said.

“He’s got a few guys he knows who haven’t played for a few years that might be interested. We are still working our way through that. It’s all looking positive.”

DEMOLITION DAN

Pearcedale has secured an English left-arm fast bowler, and he might be pretty good judging by recent performances.

His name is Daniel Kelly and last month he snared 7-0 off 8.3 overs for his club Belper Meadows.

Pearcedale captain Kaine Smith.

KAINE CONSIDERS

Still at the Dales and their champion skipper Kaine Smith is umming and ahing about playing next season.

“I’m probably 50/50,’’ he told Pot Shots.

“Some days I think yeah I’m going to play and then others I think maybe I won’t!

I’ll see what eventuates over the next couple of months.’’

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