A REMARKABLE chapter is about to be written in the lives of Millicent couple Tom Hutchesson and Nat Potter.
They are Sydney bound after they received life-changing news while heading home last month from a European vacation.
The couple had boarded a plane in the French capital of Paris and were in the air when Hutchesson logged on to a news service and learned he had been selected in the AFL national draft.
He had been offered a two-year contract as a full-time professional footballer with the Greater Western Sydney Giants.
In the space of a month, Hutchesson has since spent two weeks in training in the harbour-side city as well as a fortnight back home in Millicent.
He has farewelled his fellow carpenters at Millicent building firm Seco Homes where he completed his apprenticeship after graduating from Millicent High School and Millicent North Primary School.
For Potter, the move to the east means she has to cease her work as a theatre nurse at Mount Gambier Hospital.
She had been the Millicent High School dux and the W.S.DeGaris Cup winner at the end of 2014, before she undertook her nursing studies at the University of South Australia.
For their last local break for the foreseeable future, plenty of time was devoted to fishing and socialising.
Christmas Day was spent at the Potter family home at Southend where lobsters and prawns were served up.
Courting for the past six years, the move to Sydney means they will have to sever ties with the Millicent Football Netball Club.
Hutchesson is a premiership captain, league and club best and fairest winner and best-on-ground in that drought-breaking 2018 grand final.
Potter clocked up her 100th senior match with the Saints in the 2019 season.
Once they move in together in Sydney in the coming months, Potter is confident the GWS Giants will assist her in finding work.
For Hutchesson, his carpenter’s tools will definitely be locked away for a minimum of two years.
“I will be working as a footballer for 5.5 days per week,” he said.
“A year ago, I decided to have one last crack by playing with the Crows in the SANFL.
“This was my last card to play.
“Our trip to Europe was planned long ago and the AFL draft fell during our time away.
“Before the holiday, I was working with the Seco boys on new houses at Millicent and Southend and I said to them that this might be the last time with them.”
One of the familiar faces at Sydney will be former Crows team mate Sam Jacobs.
Despite the big move, Hutchesson stays true to his roots and will watch the progress of his Saints with keen interest in the upcoming season.
“I wish the Saints well,” he said.
