Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

In fact, I was happy with the draw. I have to say that, having gone to both of those clubs on numerous occasions, it is indeed a difficult choice to make. In reality, I personally believe that what is important is that a level of sportsmanship is shown on the day and that the opportunity is provided to the players to get the most out of the football and the enjoyment that comes with winning, if that is the case, or at least having played in a final. I wish both of those sides well in their Saturday grand final.

I want to say something on a sadder note. Those clubs inevitably rely on the work of volunteers. Last month, I attended the Pooraka Football Club when it was celebrating its 40th anniversary. It is the club closest to my home and a club that I have been associated with since childhood. At the 40th anniversary I was able to catch up with a number of people that I had not seen for some years but equally with people that I see at the club almost on a weekly basis. Regrettably, two of those people, in recent weeks, have passed away. I refer to Tony Tomko and Fay Thamm, who were both stalwarts of the club and who provided an incredible amount of support over the years to the club’s administration and support base. To the families of both of them, I extend my deepest condolences. Time is running out, but on another occasion I will speak about some of the achievements of these clubs in greater detail.

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