The Warwick Garden’s Galore Redbacks AFC love their views of the Condamine River most days, not so much last weekend. Like all other clubs located close to the Condamine, at the weekend their fields were inundated with flood water. Fortunately, there was no major damage done to the interior of the clubhouse with floodwater reaching the top step of the building. Having said that the clubhouse was without power for three days as the power box was fully submerged and required a complete refit and caused the loss of some stock. One of the club’s water tanks was moved off its slab and several pipes were damaged.
Despite this Redbacks President Thye Clarkson was upbeat when he spoke with us earlier in the week. With mud everywhere Clarkson and others spent much of Monday hosing everything under and around the clubhouse down and cleaning away debris. Now it is full steam ahead for this weekend’s home game against the Dalby Swans and a few days of good sunshine will go a long way to drying out the ground. Saturday will be a milestone game for club stalwart Nick Donges who is set to play his 265th game for the Redbacks – a club record breaking the previous record (264 games) held by Life Member Jason Wright.
The club will also welcome Brownlow Medallist and triple premiership player Jason Akermanis as their special guest. Akermanis will be an interested spectator at the game and will be staying on for a special Sportsperson dinner at the clubhouse – Beers and Burgers commencing from 6pm.
Akermanis, known for his freakish goal scoring ability played more than 300 AFL games. He kicked 421 goals for the Brisbane Bears, Brisbane Lions and Western Bulldogs.
Inducted into the AFL Hall of fame in 2015 Akermanis was never far from controversy during his career however there was never any doubt about his prodigious talent. He was a winner of the 2002 AFL Goal of the Year and had the ability to kick goals from even the most acute angle.
Akermanis was an integral member of the Lions legendary team which won three-straight premiership from 2001-03. His post goal handstand celebrations became as much his signature as his bleached white hair. Jason Akermanis was more than just a great footballer. He was an entertainer.
There is no doubt an evening spent listening to Acker’s story will also be entertaining.
Tickets ($25) are currently on sale – visit square.link/u/liYpMRfW?src=sheet or visit the Warwick Redbacks Facebook page. The evening will also include some special raffles and auctions.
The club wishes to thank the Southern Downs Regional Council – This project has been assisted by grants to community funding from the Southern Downs Regional Council.
