CAFL’s South player Charlie Maher hangs up his boots

SOUTH said goodbye to a true champion of the game at the weekend when player Charlie Maher hung up his boots for the final time.

South player Charlie Maher celebrates his team’s win over Pioneer at the weekend. Picture: Justin Brierty

SOUTH said goodbye to a true champion of the game in the best fashion on Saturday.

Veteran Charlie Maher called time on a decorated playing career after his side knocked off old foes Pioneer in a heart-stopper.

It was Maher’s second CAFL premiership — remarkably 11 years after his first back in 2003 — to go with three Minahan medals and two NT Thunder flags.

But this one had a totally different feeling, with a new generation of Roos getting a taste of success.

“I’m so proud of the boys, every single one of them,” Maher said.

“We won as a team and everyone played their role.

“I’m just so happy for the younger blokes, most of them had never played in a grand final and now they’re premiership players.

“It feels just as good as 2003, I’m so grateful for my career and everything I’ve achieved.”

Co-captain Roy “Billy” Tilmouth, who was one of South’s most consistent on the day, described the win as “the best feeling in the world”.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I’m very happy we got there,” he said.

Tilmouth credited coach Darren Talbot with helping to build the side’s fitness.

“He’s been kicking our a*ses all season and definitely trains us hard,” he said.

“He’s pushed us to where we want to be and we got the job done when it counted.”

Tilmouth said it was a fitting farewell to Maher, a fantastic role model at the club.

“A lot of the guys really look up to him, so to send him off like this is a really good feeling,” he said.

“A lot of players really stood up and it was a great all-round effort, but Liam Jurrah, Charlie Maher, Daniel Stafford were probably our best on the day.”

Murray Liddle was another player to hang up the boots after South’s victory.

Liddle had a brilliant day, coaching the Roos’ under-17s to victory over favourites Western Aranda before taking the field in the seniors and winning his first premiership after four losing grand finals.