Hawthorn players tested their culinary, artistic and hospitality skills on day three of Hawthorn’s Australia Post AFL Community Camp in Launceston, Tasmania.
Matt Spangher caused an upset when he won the Masterchef ‘mystery box’ challenge at Newstead College, ahead of Hawthorn’s very own masterchef Shane Savage. Savage entered the competition against the school’s caterers as favourite after working as a chef outside of football, but the pairing of Spangher and Mitch Hallahan produced a tastier chicken stir fry.
“I actually fancy myself a little bit in the kitchen, so underdog or not I entered the competition pretty confident and Mitch was a great help,” Spangher said.
Before the cooking got underway, the Newstead College sports science students asked the players questions about all things football. Savage caused a stir when he revealed his game day superstition – he wears the same underwear every week.
Sam Grimley was a hit with the children on day two, having a dance with young Molly during the Able Australia visit at the Ravenswood Community Centre. He also took on the fastest runner at Westbury Primary School in a sprint competition… and lost. Able Australia is a non-for-profit organisation that’s provides a community where people living with a disability are seen, heard, respected, valued and connected.
“It was actually my first dance with a girl,” Grimley joked.
“It’s been good fun coming down to Tassie and hanging out with the children at the schools and kindergarten.”
The rest of the group helped people with a disability ‘speed paint’ on big canvases. The theme was Community and contestants had to capture the local community in their painting. Matt Suckling was given the responsibility of judging the competition.
“There was a lot of good paintings there so it was a pretty tough decision but I think I picked the right one, it had a bit of cricket, a bit of AFL and barbeque in the painting, so that’s why it won,” Suckling explained.
Luke Lowden was impressive at Hawthorn’s Beacon Foundation visit at Aurora Stadium, inspiring teenage students to do well at school and pursue their dreams. Lowden spoke about his hopes to work in radio and the steps he’s taking to achieve that goal.
Drive-through customers at Invermay McDonald’s were given a big shock when Hawks Vice-captain Jarryd Roughead greeted them at the pick-up window. Roughead impressed store workers, taking charge and sending orders to his teammates who were manning the burger, drinks and soft serve stations. Michael Osborne put his own spin on meals, adding new ingredients to the drinks and soft serve orders.
The two Launceston-based groups managed to reach 21 places and approximately 3,000 people across two-and-a-half days in what was undoubtedly a successful camp for both Hawthorn and the Launceston community.
On his first trip to Tasmania, Spangher said Hawthorn’s 2013 Australia Post AFL Community Camp was a fantastic experience.
“The clinics are the best part of Community Camp, the kids really enjoy it, especially those in the remote areas who don’t get to see footballers that often,” he said.
“There are a lot of Hawthorn jumpers around. The Hawks have such a strong supporter base down here which is great.”
Underdogs Matt Spangher and Mitch Hallahan took out the Newstead College Masterchef competition in front of more than 100 students.
In a big upset, experienced cook Shane Savage was beaten by Matt Spangher and Mitch Hallahan in the Newstead College Masterchef challenge.
Gentle giant; Sam Grimley dances with young Molly at Ravenswood Kindergarten as part of Hawthorn’s Able Australia visit.
Shocked customers were greeted by Hawks players in the drive-through and at the front counter in-store at Invermay McDonald’s.
