The Cygnet Football Club's Past Players and Officials Committee held their annual function last Saturday, June 22 with over 150 in attendance.
The theme for the day was to celebrate the Club's Premierships in the years ending in '4', including the Senior Premierships in 1964, '74, '84, '94 and 2004, the Colts in 1994 and Reserves in 2004.
Many members of these teams were present at the function.
Cygnet Football Club President, David O'Neill welcomed all past players and officials, and with the current Senior team members present in the room, announced that Lachy Watt had been reappointed Senior Coach for season 2025.
Lachy then spoke of the various team's performances this season and the importance of maintaining the past players' traditions and the culture that this shows for the current group of players.
The function then acknowledged the contribution of John Duggan who last year was awarded Cygnet Football Club Life Membership for his continuing service and commitment to the Club over many years.
In responding, John used the opportunity, as the most recent life member, to announce that the Club had awarded David Brereton with Life Membership.
After reading out David's contributions over the past 46 years, John presented David with his Life Membership medallion and certificate.
A clearly surprised David thanked John and the Club for this wonderful honour.
Past Players Committee President, Tidsy Smith, then took to the stage to speak of the great history and traditions of the Cygnet Football Club and in his inimitable and humorous style fired verbal 'barbs' at several in the room, starting several unsubstantiated rumours which continued to 'grow legs' during the afternoon!
After a delicious soup and roast meal prepared by the Cygnet 'Top Hotel' team and served by our Port Ladies, it was time for the day's Guest Speaker, ex-Carlton and Brisbane great and Carlton Hall of Fame inductee, Brendan 'Fev' Fevola to take to the stage, where he was interviewed by Jaimes Wiggins. Brendan spoke of being drafted by Carlton as a 17-year-old in 1988, his first game in late 1989, his sacking at the end of season 2002 and 24 hours later, following the sacking of then coach Wayne Brittain, new coach Denis Pagan was appointed and wanted Fev back!
Then followed an extraordinary run where Brendan won seven consecutive Carlton goal-kicking awards between 2003 and 2009 including Coleman Medals for the AFL's leading goalkicker in 2006 and 2009. Brendan spoke of season 2008 when he needed eight goals in the last game to reach 100 goals for the season but ended on 99 goals.
There was also his infamous Ireland trip with the All-Australian team, his sacking by Carlton at the end of 2009 and subsequent trade to Brisbane.
He retired at the end of season 2010 having played 204 games and kicking 623 goals.
Brendan then embarked on a second football career playing for almost 40 country and urban teams around Australia, including with SFL Club New Norfolk where in 2012 he kicked 18 goals in one game against Huonville.
He mentioned that he is now creeping up towards 1,000 goals since retiring from the AFL, not bad for a footy career starting at 31 years of age.
Over an hour of friendly banter and much laughter, Brendan provided a very entertaining description of the ups and downs of his football career and his on-field and off-field experiences.
The function concluded with an auction of Carlton and Cygnet memorabilia with auctioneer Scott Turnbull.
'Scooter' certainly didn't miss the opportunity to return the verbal 'barbs' on both Tidsy and Fev and others in the room, in what was a hilarious end to a great day.
The celebrations and yarns continued long into the afternoon and early evening, complimented by three excellent wins by the Southern Storm and Port teams over Sorell.
