By Caitlin Arnold
This Saturday for the Pennant Hills Demons marks one of their biggest and busiest days of the year.
Not only will they be involved in a top of the table clash with Manly-Warringah, they will also be hosting from their historical homeland of Ern Holmes Oval with their annual event – ‘Back to the Ern Day’. Coincidently coinciding with the 20-year reunion of the 1994 Reserves and Under 19s Premiership victories, this weekend at the Demons looks set to tire bodies, but not team spirit.
Having recently hosted a ‘Penno versus The World’ game, where former Demons came up against those involved at the club who never actually took to the field, it is clear that Pennant Hills are enormously proud of their support network.
It is such a community club that when you ask the Pennant Hills Demons’ President, Phillip Hare who has impressed him most at the club this year, his response is to commend those who do not necessarily lace up their boots every weekend.
“Pennant Hills’ involvement of past players and the local community is something the club places great importance on. We are lucky to have a long list of people who repeatedly contribute to the on-field and off-field success of our club,” says Hare.
“However, this year special mentions need to be made to Allan Abbott for coordinating the club bar, and Jackie and Wayne Keating who have taken on arranging and running of our club canteen.
“We know how tough it is to run a club off the field and these people have done a great job on both Saturdays and Club Thursdays.”
On the field, Pennant Hills sit second on the ladder to Manly-Warringah whose percentage has skyrocketed following multiple 100-point plus victories earlier in the season.
With Manly-Warringah coming off a shock loss to St George in Round 11, and the historical significance of ‘Back to the Ern Day’ instilling a great amount of club pride within their players, the Demons will be hoping to gain the advantage over their Northern Beaches based foes this weekend.
Adding a further element of occasion to the day, players will be competing for the William ‘Bill’ Carey Medal – Carey being a Pennant Hills, Balmain and Sydney AFL legend.
“A Pennant Hills Premier Division player will be awarded the William ‘Bill’ Carey Medal in recognition of their contribution to the game at the Ern – where Bill was the ground manager for Penno Juniors for a significant number of years,” explains Hare.
While the Premier Division squad fields most of the wider AFL community praise, Pennant Hills’ other division teams are also amassing victories that see them placed toward the top of their respective ladders – proving a depth at the club to be envied.
“The results across the four teams have certainly been pleasing throughout the season.
“An important recognition must go to Division One Coach, Jason Clarke and his players. Jason has done an amazing job this year and the team’s success is a reflection of the way in which the whole coaching staff develops younger players – it’s a great feeling for the club.”
Having four of their players chosen in this year’s Sydney Representative team – Alex Goodall, James Dunn, Stephen Wray and Lloyd Shepherd – Pennant Hills are thrilled to have the opportunity to show off their talent on a larger stage.
“We have always wished our players the best when they take the next step-from representative football to Swans Reserves or RAMS games.
“What is great to see is that they all love coming back to Penno after the experience, and that the quality of the Sydney football as reflected in its representative side, is improving.
Last Modified on 04/07/2014 21:34
