Hi Everyone, Last Saturday will not doubt go down as one of the most significant in the history of the club. The future, the present & the past generations all came together as one to celebrate 35 year of Senior Puma Footy. Note all pictures of the day & evening can be found in our website photo gallery at
https://www.springwood.aflq.com.au Just click on the Top RH "More" tab & then select "Photo Gallery". Many thanks to John & Lisa Balm & others for these photos. Also click on the "Contact" tab for a full list of the club history & honours.
Early - Future Pumas on show! The day started with the future generation of Pumas making their debuts. Our new U6 teams took to the field for the very first time with immense fun being had by all. All other Puma junior teams played on the weekend & significantly several former Puma/Target playing legends were on hand to help & watch their sons/daughters play & some even coached. Our U11 Puma team had a massive win in their debut in “Scoring” football & our U11 St Pauls team only went down by 7 points to a traditionally strong Redlands team. Amazing effort as this was the first game of football ever for 13 of 15 players in this team. (Picture Below New U6 Players begin their AFL dream)
Arvo - Present Pumas register massive wins The U18s had a great 85 to 14 points win over Yeronga & then the Reserves thumped Yeronga again 103 to 28. Then it was main event time.
The Pumas Seniors were revved up & looked brilliant running out in their heritage “Orange & Black” colors. It was significant & pleasing to see several life members & club icons in attendance all cheering the boys on. They were not disappointed as the Springwood Pumas/Targets absolutely smashed old foe Yeronga. Score below:
The Evening - Past Pumas show that Mateship & Comradery can last forever! The 35 year senior reunion started with a real buzz in the room as several old team mates & clubbies were catching up for the first time in years. The club house was packed & most importantly the majority of Puma Legends old & new were in attendance. People flew in from all around the country.
The highest honour you can have in the club is “Life Membership”. With most in attendance Bear introduced all current members. Then the big surprise. A very unsuspecting current club President Andrew Hickman was announced as the new Life Member. Andrew had no idea this was occurring & his emotional acceptance speech echoed what the club meant to him & how proud he was of all things Puma.
Guest speaker Brian Douge (Hawthorne premiership player) then did a brilliant speech which highlighted how important club life, coaches & mates are.
Then the top 35 Hall of Fame players were announced & interviewed. With most from all generations in attendance the speeches were moving, emotional & generally full of comedy as many reminisced of great club times. It started with 6 time Senior B & F winner D Bourke. The full list in no particular order was: Darren Burke,
Darren Barber, Grant Benedict,
Brett Bourke, Scott Clements, Russell Crew,
Trevor Muss Denny, Alan Dolan, Steve Donaldson, Ian Goodsall, Brad Haines, Matthew Hendry, Richard Hennessy, Brendon Hewitt, Steve Horan, Russell Hughes, Kevin Lynch, Rick Martin, Damon McCormack, Dave Menz, Steve Mitchell, Shane Murrihy, Graeme Nicholas, Tim O'Connor, John Pekin, Robbie Raudino, Mark Reid, Mark Scholz, Mark Stevensen, Mark Thompson, Richard Burgess, Alan Thomson, Kevin Vincent, Adrian Wallin & Paul Wessling.
In another of many unscripted magic moments the 1989 Premiership group were all reunited as one on stage. (Half Pictured Below)
Richard Burgess was the last of the 35 announced & his interview & speech had the crowd in total awe. From tears & then laughter all in attendance were touched by this mans courage & determination. He typified what the night & the club was all about. Along with many others on the night, Richard was given a tremendous well deserved standing ovation.
This followed with the 35 custom made Guernseys that were worn by the seniors that day being auctioned off. All sold for high prices with some significant funds being raised for the club.
The night finished with President Andrew thanking all & acknowledged how brilliant it was to see significant Puma people back in the clubhouse. He stated how all appreciated their stories highlighting the club history. He then challenged all Hall of Famers to regularly come back to the club where they will always be more then welcome. After this the Jukebox was pumped up & reacquainted mates partied hard until the early hours.
The saying goes “To get to where you want to go you must remember where you’ve been”. After Saturday night all in attendance were explained where the club history had been & Current Senior Captain & now Hall of Famer Mark Thomspson left no doubt in anyones mind where we are going. He stated that all current players are determined to make 2014 the Year of another Puma Senior Premiership.
A massive thanks to Bear & his crew of helpers & the 35 year Hall of Fame selection committee for all their efforts. It was a very momentous night for the club & an absolutely brilliant time was had by all.
GO PUMAS!