Hawthorn’s AFL Blind team will aim to add another piece of silverware to its trophy cabinet when it plays in the Victorian Blind Football League Grand Final on Sunday morning at Action Indoor Sports Tullamarine.
The Hawks have claimed the league’s top prize in 2019, while Hawthorn Brown (one of two Hawthorn teams in the competition) went all the way last year.
A key pillar to the team’s success has been AFL Blind Captain Ned Brewer Maiga, who was part of the inaugural Hawks team, is a 2019 premiership player, a five-time club best and fairest and also captained the Hawks Gold team who finished runner-up last year.
Brewer Maiga, who has also represented his country in blind cricket and soccer, spoke to Talking Hawks about how the team is feeling ahead of Sunday’s AFL Blind decider.
“I’m super excited,” he said.
“We’re really fortunate to have the opportunity to play footy.
“It’s just amazing for us and our community.
“To play at another Grand Final is another amazing thing that we’re super proud of.
“We’ve had some really great wins over the year and a lot of confidence going into it but we’re really just looking forward to enjoying the day and hopefully holding up another cup and getting another trophy for our wonderful football club.”
Brewer Maiga’s involvement with the Hawks doesn’t end with AFL Blind though.
Not only is he a diehard Hawks fan, he also works within the club’s community team, delivering a school program called Hawks For All, which teaches children about the realities of living with a disability via activities like wearing vision-impaired glasses or sitting in a wheelchair while playing football, simulating an AFL Blind or AFL Wheelchair game.
“I got a job at the club in 2019 and I run a lot of programs within the all-abilities communities as a predominant thing,” Brewer Maige said.
“A lot of these programs build understanding and awareness of disability.
“I’m super proud and privileged to be a part of the Hawthorn Football Club.
“I’m a massive Hawks fan so to be able to play and work for the club is definitely a dream come true.”
For those Hawks supporters who do not know much about AFL Blind, Brewer Maiga explained the main differences between the sport and AFL.
“Probably the main thing is our footy is bright yellow/ green colour, kind of like a highlighter and it also has a buzzer,” he said.
“Once you turn that on, the footy has a noise throughout the entire quarter because, within our league, we have people who are totally blind or can only see very small amounts.
“Besides that, there’s a few changes to the marking rules where it’s sort of got to touch your hands - you don’t have to clunk it the whole time.
“There’s also a lot of audible changes so we have people behind the goal waving maracas so we actually know where the goals are.
“There’s a lot of communication between the teams - you’ve got to call out your team name or team colour so everyone knows where you are.
“Obviously, there’s no tackling, it’s a two-hand touch which is a bit like tiggy.”
The sport itself has continued to grow since its inaugural season in 2019.
Brewer Maiga credited both the club and the league when admiring the growth of the competition over the years.
“Throughout the years, it’s been a lot about advocacy and trying to improve the sport,” he said.
“We’re really happy that we’ve not got people flying in from across the country playing Blind AFL.
“It’s just an amazing thing to see the growth of the sport and how many people want to play it.
“It’s got a really bright future.
“We have an amazing footy club that is so passionate about giving people the opportunity to not only play footy but watch footy and be able to experience all the best parts about footy.
“From our wheelchair team to our blind team to all the programs that we run, inclusion is definitely a big focus for the football club.
“It’s an absolute honour to be one of the people that sort of bears the fruits of that.”
The sport doesn’t stop for Brewer Maiga after Sunday though, jetting off to Queensland in November to represent Australia in the Blind and Low Vision Ashes.
“I’m privileged to be a part of the Australian Blind cricket team as well,” the multi-sport superstar said.
“I’ve been on a few tours now wearing the green and gold.
“One of the biggest achievements of my life was getting the Baggy Green and it’s something I’ll always hold incredibly highly in my life.
“I’ve been able to travel around the world to play sports and play cricket in particular.
“I’m absolutely privileged to have that opportunity and to say that I’ve represented my country in both cricket and soccer.”
Hawthorn fans are encouraged to get down to Action Sports Tullamarine on Sunday morning to support the AFL Blind team as they go for glory.
Entry is free with the game commencing at 10am.
For those who are unable to make it, the match will be live-streamed here, with Hawthorn’s inclusion social media channels, Hawks For All, to provide regular updates on the game.
Hawks fans can follow Hawks For All on Facebook, X and Instagram.
AFL Blind Grand Final
Hawthorn v TBC (prelim final to be played on Saturday)
Sunday 28 July
10am, Action Indoor Sports Tullamarine
Watch Ned Brewer Maiga’s full interview with Talking Hawks below.
