The Annual Old Carey Legends Day is a special occasion for the Old Carey community. It’s an opportunity for past players to catch up and reminisce about their glory days on the field. This year’s event was no different, with former players enlisted to Team Reid or Team Smithwick before taking to the field for the Past Players Game. Quite a few players made long journeys to get involved which was great to see.

The game was fiercely contested, with both teams eager to claim bragging rights. The match got off to an exciting start with club Physio Matt Pallozzi from Instinct Health spruiking business opportunities for Monday Appointments. Expecting carnage, we were all surprised by how many clapped out bodies survived the onslaught. When the game was done, we were only down one hamstring, and the forecast was for plenty of delayed onset muscle soreness to follow.

Luke Crozier and Charlie Wood were amongst the first time Legends if we’re not mistaken. Veteran Legends like Steve Freemantle and Cam Smith made early impacts and set the temperature for the game. Team Reid got out of the blocks quickest before a strong rear-guard action from Team Smithwick.

Nick Colbert was a good spearhead for Team Reid (four snags if his son Xavier’s counting from the sidelines was correct). The foot skills from Joel Rice were a treat and the footspeed displayed by Pier Bol was a bit over the top.

Simon Lenders in ruck surprised with his ability to give first use to the opposition and then sometimes his team. Late inclusions Matt Parker and Nick Richardson were handy and the very existence of a bench was a relief after COVID left us lean for players last year. There was definitely still plenty of footy smarts on display from Tom Evans, Al Stewart-Holmes and Jim Courtot. All spectators owe Ricey a debt of gratitude for loaning his back as a step ladder and creating some front-of-grandstand theatre – Paul Fiorenza, resplendent in his woollen jumper, nearly pulled down a hanger but it was not to be. While the game did slow a bit as cardio systems did waver – the want to win was always there. A late surge largely led by Steve Freemantle’s unrelenting competitiveness nearly saw Team Smithwick pinch the game late.

However, it was the miss after the siren by Redda Thompson that had everyone talking. His kick could have tied the game for Team Smithwick, but it fell short, and Team Reid held on narrowly for the win. Redda is still young and will get plenty of redemption opportunities – til then he will have to live with it.

In summary, some players took the game far too seriously, while others were far too young and nimble to be out there. Some players should still be playing (looking at you Q-Stick and Crock!), while others were content to enjoy the social side of the event. Nevertheless, it was a great day for all involved.

The umpires, Zander Adam and the evergreen Smokey Dawson, did a fantastic job of keeping the game under control. They were firm but fair but also totally complicit in trying to manufacture a mutually beneficial result.

After the game, we retired upstairs for a beautiful lunch prepared by Milj from the committee. The food was complemented by a number of beers and plenty of tall-tales. It was a great opportunity for everyone to catch up and relive some of their fondest memories.

Overall, the Old Carey Legends Day was a great success. It was a chance for past players to reconnect and enjoy a day of footy and camaraderie. Special call-outs to Ben and Jarrod for their work getting the day up and running and to those who got stitched up for Coterie Memberships – we will see them at our mid-season Coterie Lunch and their support of the club is heartily welcomed. Fittingly, renowned meat-devotee, Sticky-mitts Reid won the Meat Tray kindly supplied by the Butcher’s Club.

We look forward to next year’s event and hope to see even more familiar faces on and off the field.

Not too late to jump on board the Panther Coterie wagon by the way! <JOIN INSTANTLY>