Hawks member Adrian Hobbs has written for hawthornfc.com.au to share with fellow members his experience of meeting his hero - Luke Hodge.
A while ago I received a phone message from the Hawthorn Football Club, and when I returned the call I was surprised to hear Jeremy Millard from the Membership department informing me that I had won a prize.
The prize was part of a promotion for first and second year members, consisting of:
- A tour of Waverley Park with Luke Hodge, including lunch for myself and three friends and the opportunity to watch the team train
- Two tickets to the President’s luncheon at the MCG
- Two tickets to the Peter Crimmins Medal function
It took a while to sink in, and I was excited to tell Joshua, my 13-year-old son.
His response was “watch Hawthorn train, meet Luke Hodge, day off school… when are we going?!”
We arrived at Waverley at 11am and met up with my uncle, Ray Kennedy. Like me, he’s a mad Hawthorn supporter who has been involved with the Club over the years.
We also met up with a close friend of mine, David Bannister. We were then escorted by Jeremy on a tour through the Club boardroom, past the premiership cups and up to the Corporate Suite at the top of the old grandstand overlooking the ground.
The Corporate Suite was laid-out with drinks and lunch, and we sat back and watched the team train.
As we lapped up the atmosphere, Joshua wandered out of the room to have a look around and came back with a big smile on his face and said “I just saw Roughy. And I said hello. And he said hello back!”
After lunch was enjoyed, Jeremy collected us and we made out way downstairs to meet Luke Hodge, who took us on a tour of the players’ area.
We were introduced to Luke, who really made us feel at home as he took us around the Club facilities. He explained what the players did and how the Club works, giving us a real insight to the players’ lives and routines.
We finished with a tour of the Hawks Museum, a place bursting with Hawthorn history.
We spent a while gazing at the 2008 premiership cup and to our amazement, the glass case was opened and we were able to hold it and take some photos with the cup.
On leaving the Club I turned to Josh, who had a smile on his face and was almost lost for words, who said to me “Dad, I’m going to remember today for rest of my life!”
Thank you to Luke, Jeremy and the Club for a wonderful experience.
I think it’s safe to say you now have a fourth-generation Hawthorn Supporter!
Adrian Hobbs
2010 Hawks member
Left to right: Ray Kennedy, Adrian Hobbs, Joshua Hobbs, Luke Hodge, and David Bannister.
