50-year-old dad joins son in unlikely comeback game

When a local footy club was missing a tall defender the coach had no choice but to call up an ‘astounding’ recruit, paving the way for a remarkable on-field family reunion.

Hawthorn Amateurs 50-year-old key defender Phil Avery pictured after his VAFA comeback game in the seniors alongside son Eamonn. (supplied)

The Hawthorn Amateurs added some experience and family flavour to its line-up on Saturday when senior’s coach Mark Murray called on 50-year-old Phil Avery to fill a void in defence alongside his son.

It was August 24, 2019 when Avery last took the field in the club’s senior side. The tall defender was then aged 47.

The shock call up three seasons later at age 50 came about through an injury to a senior tall defender which opened up a spot for Avery to make an unexpected return - playing alongside his 21-year-old son Eamonn.

Avery was surprised to receive the call having spent the majority of the season focusing on trying to recover in time for games during the week instead of training.

He was also dealing with hamstring soreness from the week before his senior recall.

“I wasn‘t expecting a call… but then the coach said he had a very particular role which was to stand at full back on one of their big forwards so it wasn’t gonna require too much running,” Avery said.

Hawks reserves coach Rick Gheller said the call up was “well and truly deserved”.

“It was pretty loud in the clubrooms when he got the call up,” Gheller said.

“He‘s probably among our best players constantly.

“I’m astounded at how he backs up every week. He just throws himself out there, he’s got long arms. He still roams around that backline like he is 25 years old.

“It’s actually pretty good to watch,” he laughed.

“He’s doing a bloody good job out there.”

The match marked the Hawks’ fourth win of the season and second in a row, although what made the 43-point win over Richmond Central extra special was the combination Avery formed down back with his son Eamonn.

Hawthorn Amateurs 50-year-old veteran Phil Avery pictured after his VAFA seniors comeback alongside son Eamonn.

As the younger more durable player, Eamonn took the centre half back position while father Phil sat behind at full back.

Phil said “it was really good” to play with his son and get the win.

There were a few moments however that left Phil confused about his name.

“There were some points when you‘re calling people to go to certain places and he (Eamonn) was like, ‘go get him dad’ and he said dad, and I was like, ‘Phil, he’s talking about me’,” he said.

“He kind of checked himself a couple of times there [throughout the game].”

Phil said his son, who featured in the team of the year at full back last season, gave great support throughout stages in the game.

“And there were a couple of points, where I was in a position where I wasn’t going to win the contest and he came over the top [to help] which was really good,” he said.

Reserves coach Gheller said “it was a pretty incredible moment” to see the father and son playing together.

Avery grew up playing soccer before beginning Aussie Rules in 1990 at age 18. He then joined the Hawthorn Amateurs in 1996 where he has been for the past 26 years.

He credited the club for the initiatives they support including the mental health round this week.

“It‘s a really good place,” Avery said.

“We get a lot of people who come from the country.

“The club also does a lot of great stuff with mental health.

“We’ve got our mental health round this week where we have a really great initiative where we raise money and help people who may be going through troubles with mental health.”

Avery’s next milestone will be his 300th game which is approaching in the coming weeks.