VAFA 2020: Caulfield Grammarians snare Balwyn champion Rennie Gilchrist
After 10 years and four premierships, the Tigers captain has crossed to Grammarians, boosting them ahead of their return to Premier section.
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The phone calls to say farewell were difficult to make.
“My heart was pounding out of my chest,’’ Rennie Gilchrist says.
The Balwyn captain made them one after the other, first ringing Tigers football director Paul Johnson, then president Richard Wilson, coach Rodney Eade and teammate Jeff Gobbels.
He told them what they didn’t want to hear, that after 10 years with the Eastern league club he had decided to join Caulfield Grammarians in the VAFA.
“They were disappointed and a bit surprised, but they were also supportive; deep down they probably knew it was coming,’’ Gilchrist, 31, said of the Balwyn top brass.
Gilchrist attended Caulfield Grammar and always said he would play at least one season with the football club.
For a long time Grammarians sounded him out about making a move to the amateurs.
This time they found him open to the prospect, particularly with the Fields being promoted to Premier for 2020 and the offer of an assistant coaching role. He believes it will help him prepare for a move into senior coaching.
Still, it was a wrench for him to leave Balwyn, whom he had captained since 2012.
“It was without question one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to make,’’ he was saying yesterday afternoon.
“It’s something I thought about, and then went back and forth a countless number of times.
“I finally got to the conclusion I wanted to do something different. I’m potentially looking to coach in the next year or so … and I saw value in experiencing a different club and a different group of people.
“Secondary to that, I always promised myself and a few people at Caulfield that I’d go back there and play before I gave it away. The timing of it seemed to work out well … 10 years at Balwyn, looking for a change and them (Caulfield Grammarians) going back up to A grade.
“But, yeah, genuinely, every day I’d change my mind. It was such a tough call to make, an emotional call. Now I’ve done it, it’s a bit daunting … 10 years at Balwyn, helping create a culture and environment, then getting out of my comfort zone and going to a new club.’’
Gilchrist joined Balwyn from VFL club Sandringham in 2010, enticed by the persuasive Johnson and former Zebras teammate Peter Summers.
Two years later, at age 23, he was made captain.
Four times he lifted the premiership cup, most memorably in 2012 after the Tigers had 12 months earlier been numbed by the death of senior player Sean Bergin.
In distinguished company, Gilchrist won two best and fairests at Cherry Rd, was twice best-afield in grand finals (he seemed to reserve his best for big occasions) and was judged best finals player.
All up there were 183 senior matches, 154 as captain. The club granted him life membership and named him captain of its 100-year team.
In Wilson’s mind, Gilchrist’s contribution to Balwyn “has been as substantial as any player we’ve ever known in the history of our club’’.
“His leadership and passion for the club reflected his commitment and strong desire to succeed every year, which resonated (with) all the players, as well as the committee, supporters and all stakeholders in our club,’’ Wilson said.
Gilchrist said he was proud of his association with Balwyn, which he called a “misunderstood’’ club.
While the Tigers were commonly seen as wealthy and well off for resources, they in fact got by on the hard work of a handful of people, he said.
“We (the players) had a lot of ownership in doing things around the club. We didn’t just rock up and play,’’ Gilchrist said.
“It’s a real credit to us that we’ve been able to win premierships … in reality it’s a small community club with a massive heart.’’
Gilchrist joins former AFL onballer Jon O’Rourke and ex-Port Melbourne VFL player Mitch Woods as key recruits for Caulfield Grammarians as they attempt to compete well in the strong Premier section.
They will have to do so without former AFL star Brendon Goddard, who figured in last season’s Premier B flag but has retired due to family demands.
Gilchrist said he was “really interested’’ to see how VAFA Premier stacked up against Eastern Premier.
“A lot of people compare Ammos to (EFL) Div 1, two of the premier competitions in Victoria … been a lot of debate about which is best, and I’m curious to see what the standard’s like,’’ he said. “No doubt it will be very good. Hopefully my body can hold up and I can get through every game.’’
Balwyn has confirmed Gobbels will replace Gilchrist as skipper, with Charlie Haley vice-captain.
RENNIE GILCHRIST ON
Teammates: Kris Pendelbury is the best player I played with at Balwyn. Absolute superstar. He was the backbone of our 2015-16 premierships. He takes down the biggest and best key forwards and also starts a lot of our attacks. Jeff Gobbels has been amazing and Blake Broadhust at full flight was a sight to see. He was incredible in the few years he was up and about. Ryan McMahon was unbelievable in 2013. Rod Crowe was a VFL superstar and EFL gun. Put Tom Roach in there as well. He was awesome too. The list goes on … another 20 players have been so good for the footy club … but Kritter (Pendlbury) is at the top of it.
Opponents: When I was younger I used to tag Ryan Mullett, which was a great experience. It really did help me develop into a decent player. Craig Anderson was a fantastic player. Kyle Martin is clearly the best midfielder in the competition, hand down. He’s an unbelievable player. Lachie Johns is another. He impacts the game whenever he’s around the footy. Brett Eddy, Leigh Williams, Cam Manuel, Chris Anakis … been a lot of bloody good players in EFL over the years.
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