Ben Potts was away on business - his father was presented with the Certificate.
GSFL Life Membership for Ben Potts
In Round 16 Ben Potts played his 225th A Grade match for Langhorne Creek when they took on Goolwa / Port Elliot. It's been 15 years since he made his first A Grade appearance for the Hawks at 16 years of age. Apart from a short stint over in Victoria, when his family temporarily relocated, Ben has played all of his football for the Hawks where he's played the vast majority of his matches in the number 14 jumper.
'Pottsy' has played the majority of his football as a centreman where he is known for his work at the bottom of the packs and hard tackling. Whilst a lot of his efforts are not easily seen from the sidelines, his team mates are well aware of his work in close. Ben has the uncanny knack of never appearing to be get out of a jog when he has the football, but at the same time, its rare to see him get chased down.
Off the field, Ben works as a winemaker in Langhorne Creek. With vintage cutting into the start of the footy season, his work commitments are the reason why he has rarely been able to play the first few matches of each season in recent years. The demands of the working in the wine industry through March and April also make preseason training almost impossible but I'm sure Ben isn't too fussed about that.
The highlight of Ben's career was undoubtedly in 2001 when he played in Langhorne Creek's first A Grade premiership for 23 years. The Hawks travelled to Encounter Bay Oval to take on Willunga in the final match of the year and came away with a comfortable 35 point win much to the delight of the Hawks faithful who hadn't tasted success for many years.
Over his time as an A Grade player for the Hawks Ben has been a very committed scholar. For many years he studied winemaking and as a result was required to travel interstate to sit exams at the end of each semester. In 2002, he was heartbroken to discover that his exam was sceduled for the 21st September, the very same day that Langhorne Creek were to play Willunga in the Grand Final. Ben had no choice but to wish his team mates the best of luck and hope that good news awaited him when he left the exam hall. Luckily the Hawks were able to cover the loss of their centreman to go on and win their second flag in as many years.
To cap of 2009 with a premiership medallion would certainly wash away some of the disappointment of not being able to be part of the 2002 premiership side for Pottsy however there are 4 other sides that stand between the Hawks and the premiership cup.
Ben’s career of 285 games is made up of 229 A Grade games, 12 Reserves, 16 Senior Colts and 30 Junior Colts.
Congratulations to Ben on becoming a life member of the Great Southern Football League.
Last Modified on 01/01/2010 15:18
