JEFF Skinner barks out instructions to his Magpies teammates from the sideline, a corked thigh in the first quarter preventing his presence on the oval.
"Take 'im Damo," he shouts from his prone position, to a similar looking, taller version of himself.
"Honestly, I thought I'd be retired now," the 45 year-old divulges with a wince.
"I love my footy but I never thought I'd still be playing at my age.''
"Damo," is Damon, his 21-year-old son, and the pair are both playing for the Magpies senior team in the Mackay AFL competition, believed to be the only father and son combination playing in the seniors ranks.
Jeff is a Life Member of Mackay City Hawks, but went to help out the Magpies team after some cajoling by good mates Heath and Nick Thiele, and seniors coach David Edwards.
The prospect of helping out a new club and building it from the base up appealed to Jeff and the move was made.
Damon started with Auskick and was coached by his dad through the junior teams at the Hawks and the two of them played in the Hawks' 2009 Reserve grade grand final winning team, an achievement they still cherish today.
It's all about the Magpies now for both players as they battle every weekend against stronger, more established clubs, but even though Damon is an adult, Jeff still "helps" Damon out.
"He still tries to," laughs Damon.
"He's always yelling out something.
"It's really good playing together, not many people get to do it - it's a pretty good bond."
Jeff likes the idea of playing with all the youngsters and guiding them during the games.
"It's a lot better way of coaching being out on the paddock," he said.
Jeff usually plays as a backman on the field, but these days corked thighs and age are slowly catching up.
"He says it's only the second time he's being forced off," said Damon when they catch up after the full-time whistle has blown.
"I reckon he's got another season in him."
Last Modified on 09/05/2013 10:40