http://www.dailymercury.com.au/news/veteran-keen-to-secure-flag-for-his-gutsy-coach/2005391/
AUSSIE RULES: Jason Ellard has plenty of reasons why he wants to finish this season with another premiership with Mackay City Hawks.
For starters he will be in line for a treble of flags after the Hawks on Saturday qualified for the September 14 grand final with a 71-49 defeat of Eastern Swans in the major semi-final.
And he'd like to do it for his coach David Johnstone, who overcame serious illness to again take the reins of the premiership favourites this year.
"I'd really like to win it for Davo after what he's been through," Ellard said.
"He has had a lot of problems. He's a really good mate of mine and I'd like to do it for him."
The win has the Hawks in their fourth successive grand final, the only blemish a loss to Whitsunday Sea Eagles in which Ellard also played.
Originally from Adelaide, he has been with the Hawks for six years.
"I've been playing since I was six years old - I've been playing for more than 30 years now," the 37-year-old said.
"I don't play rep footy or anything like that; I'm just the oldest in the club."
Along with Hawks captain Tim Bone he coaches juniors in the club's Pioneer Power side, which has teams from under-6 to under-11 from the Mirani and Marian areas.
Moranbah continued its rise as the "comeback club" in the competition with a narrow win over North Mackay in yesterday's knockout semi at Harrup Park.
The Bulldogs won 14.15 (99) to 15.4 (94), and face Eastern Swans in this Saturday's preliminary final for the other spot in the decider.
FULL TIME
Major final Mackay City 10.11 (77) d Eastern Swans 6.13 (49)
Minor final Moranbah 14.15 (99) d North Mackay 15.4 (94)
Preliminary final Saturday 2.45pm at Harrup Park, Eastern Swans v Moranbah Bulldogs
Last Modified on 03/09/2013 09:13