On the Grapevine

While some of the younger footballers may not have heard of Mr Crawford, they certainly know Mr Simpkin, a talented footballer gaining recognition as a club leader while only in his mid-20s.

Cobram’s junior footballers listened intently to the footballing pair at training. They relished an opportunity to be in the same room as the AFL duo when they spoke to the crowd in the clubrooms afterwards and shared a meal with supporters, parents and junior players.

Mr Crawford played 305 games with Hawthorn after having played all his junior football in Finley where he and his two brothers grew up.

Mr Crawford debuted for Hawthorn in 1993, after being draft pick 13 in 1991. He captained Hawthorn from 1999 to 2004 and won the Brownlow Medal in 1999. He went on to win four best and fairest awards at Hawthorn, in 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2003.

He was a member of Hawthorn’s 2008 premiership side.

Mr Crawford, 48, has undeniably been a marketer’s dream with his good looks, engaging smile and cheeky sense of humour. He treats everyone he meets with respect, both young and old, and was hugely popular for many years on The Footy Show, before and after retiring from the game.

Mr Crawford has four sons: Charlie, 17, Ben, 14, who is showing some of his dad’s footy talent, and twins Jack and Harry, 11.

The footballer’s visit to Cobram Football Club was instigated by committee man Cade Beasley, who boarded at Assumption College with Crawford and Mr Birrell, and the trio have been mates ever since.

They enjoyed a great catch-up, the first time they had been together at CFC since 1992 when Cade celebrated his 21st birthday.

Mr Crawford brought along his much-adored mum, Dianne Crawford, who still lives in Finley and is well known to people throughout the region as the hard-working and proud mother of three sons, Shane, Andrew and youngest son Justin, who sadly passed away in 2022.

Mr Simpkin, 25, was born in Mooroopna and completed his secondary education at Scotch College through the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation Scholarship program.

He was North Melbourne’s draft pick 12 in 2016 and has played 134 games as a midfielder while winning the Syd Barker Medal for best and fairest in 2021 and 2022. This year he was appointed co-captain of the side.

Mr Birrell does not have a football profile; however, he loves the game and in his role as Member for Nicholls, based in Shepparton, is keen to visit as many sporting clubs and groups in the region as he can, getting to know his constituents and discussing their current status and concerns.

Before entering politics, Mr Birrell was an agronomist after attaining a degree in agricultural science, followed by his MBA. He later was appointed chief executive of the Committee for Greater Shepparton.

Assumption College was the catalyst for boarders Mr Crawford, Mr Birrell and Mr Beasley to become lifelong friends, and the evening at Cobram Football Club provided an opportunity for a rare catch-up in a familiar family-friendly environment.

Looking for a new interest?

If you are looking for a new interest — something that is low cost, offers low body impact and is played of an evening in a pleasant indoor environment with fun-loving people of various ages — why not try carpet bowls?

There’s no need for your own set of bowls, they are provided by the club and are slightly smaller than lawn bowls. Each person plays two games of 10 ends, starting at 7pm with a supper break in between.

Amid lots of laughter and chatter, players are serious about their sport and determined to win the points for their teams. Some treat Wednesday as a practice night for the pennant and social events, determined to hone their skills in the sport.

Indoor bowls can be an excellent option for those unable to handle the summer heat of lawn bowls.

The club is getting back on its feet after COVID-19 and would love to see many new members coming along and enjoying the fun nights.

President Lorraine Wallace, a member for four years, said: “We have some fun nights and they are a good group of people.”

While 23-year member Helen Quinn said: “I love having a laugh and we have lots of that! It’s about mixing with other people.”

Club member Angela Artavilla said: “It’s good for folk to mix with others they wouldn’t normally see and it’s very social!”

If you would like to give it a try, contact secretary/treasurer Josie Gattuso on 0419 597 398). Membership is just $10 per year and $5 per person each Wednesday. Carpet bowls is held at Cobram Senior Citizens clubrooms.