Family determined nothing would keep grandfather from final

PHIL O’Bree has just two great loves in life – his family and his footy.

Proud supporter: Phil O’Bree with his grandsons Matt and Kal Heslop (left) after Nullawil won the Golden Rivers premiership (below).

PHIL O’Bree has just two great loves in life – his family and his footy.

An ex-shearer, the 78-year-old played for Tooleybuc when he was in his prime and in later years was a fixture on the gate of the club grounds on a Saturday morning.

As soon as he was done there, he and wife Heather would jump in the car and drive to wherever his grandsons, Matt and Kal Heslop, were playing for Nullawil in the Golden Rivers league.

This happy pattern of life ended abruptly a year ago when a stroke left Phil partially disabled and in permanent care.

When “Nully” made the grand final this season his family was determined he was not going to miss it and a plan was hatched involving an armchair from his son Greg’s lounge room and a transit van.

Golden Rivers League 2018 premiers Nullawil.

“They just backed him up to the fence at the grounds at Moulamein on Saturday and Mum and Dad watched the game from there,” another son, Dan, explained.

“Nullawil beat Ultima by 42 points and took the premiership.

“Straight after the presentation the boys ran down for a photo with him and the cup in the van.

“He was extremely proud – even Mum shed a tear.”