AFL: Hawthorn sends message of support to NWFA’s Rosebery-Toorak

A Tasmanian local footy club which has lost its last three games by an average of more than 300 points, has found support from an AFL powerhouse which has found inspiration in their story. SEE THE VIDEO.

West Coast footy battler Rosebery-Toorak has been surprised and buoyed by a message of support from AFL powerhouse Hawthorn and its three-time premiership player David Hale.

When Hawthorn saw that its NWFA namesake was having a battle this season it went into action, setting up a message of encouragement to the Hawks.

The Tasmanian Hawks have suffered a horror run including 431 and 341-point losses in two of the last three games.

Three-premiership Hawthorn big man David Hale, who is now an assistant coach, sent the video message to Rosebery-Toorak earlier this week.

“I heard you’ve been doing it tough with your results lately,” Hale said.

“I just wanted you to know that everyone at the Hawthorn Football Club is behind you and your determination.

“We are really inspired by what you guys are doing and sticking at it.

“I have experienced great success here at Hawthorn but I also went through some really tough periods where it was really tough to pull on the boots.

“You guys are going through that at the moment.

“We are really inspired by your never-say-die attitude, continue to stick at it and I look forward to hearing about your progress going forward.”

Hawthorn’s Tasmanian manager David Cox instigated a rally cry from the Hawks to get behind Rosebery-Toorak Hawks, who are so far winless and rick-bottom on the ladder.

“I came across the story of your club’s hard start to the season and we always feel a special pang for any club wearing the brown and gold,” Cox wrote to the club.

“It gave our boys in Melbourne pause for reflection – almost all our players have, at some stage, gone through periods where success just seemed so far out of reach.

“For some of them it was during their junior years or senior regional club days, and for others their hardship became a test of character during their AFL careers.

“David Hale, triple premiership player and now assistant coach under Sam Mitchell, wanted me to send a message of support to your boys in the hopes that they can look past their current struggles and keep working towards success.

“In particular, he wanted to emphasise how important the connection is between players, their coach, and the community they play for, irrespective of on-field success.

“I hope the video brings a smile to their faces and gives them extra encouragement to keep moving forward.”

Rosebery-Toorak club legend, and now the Hawks senior co-coach, Duncan Murfet, could not wait to show the video message to the players.

“I think they will be quite chuffed that someone at that level is thinking of them,” Murfet said.

“It’s great to know they notice and are thinking of us.”

Hale played through one of North Melbourne’s toughest eras racking up 129 games for the Kangaroos between 2003 and 2010.

In 2011 he switched to the Hawks, where he played 108 games and kicked 98 goals, played in three consecutive Hawks premierships starting in 2013, and post-career coached Fremantle for one AFL game in 2019.