Jeff Huddlestone
AMONG the legendary names of the East Gambier Aussie rules football club are Lazarus, Lawson, Quinn and Mahovics.
When asked about other outstanding contributors, The Western Border Football League has nominated another name. Andrew “Scooter” Robinson, a long-time club man at East.
In fact, Mr Robinson has been part of the club since he was five months old in 1975, the year that the Bulldogs won the premiership flag under Gary Lazarus.
Affectionately known as Scooter, Mr Robinson is most familiar as East Gambier’s water runner.
Since 1991, Scooter has kept the water up for the players more than 600 times to keep them hydrated on game days.
The name Scooter was coined by fellow club man Sam Ferguson, according to Mr Robinson.
“Before I had knee trouble, I used to be a lot quicker and that is how Samuel started it,” Mr Robinson said.
He can dispense about 20 litres of water to players each match and is almost always on the oval.
“The only time I come off the ground is when my water bottles are empty,” Mr Robinson said.
“I keep an eye on where the ball is and sometimes I get in the road.”
Besides water running, the 47-year-old fulfils other roles at East, including being the assistant coach of the under 14s, keeping the team statistics, such as clearances and inside 50s and doing odd jobs at the McDonald Park grounds.
In his playing days, Mr Robinson put on the club guernsey for the under 18s from 1989 to 1991.
Mr Robinson’s under 14s coaching duties have been influenced by former club greats over the years.
“The good thing about the kids is that they listen, and they want to learn,” he said.
“I have told them negativity is not the attitude at this club. It is always positive, never negative.
“It is a team game, not an individual one. You only win flags as a team.”
Mr Robinson reflected on this season’s recent round four when East convincingly defeated West 92-44.
“We were being beaten around the clearances before half-time and they turned it around in the second half, “he said.
Mr Robinson said the best thing about the Bulldogs is the mateship.
“We are all mates and it has always been a family club. We get on well with each other,” Mr Robinson said.
Another part of his contribution is with inter-league from 1997. Since the departure of Victorian teams the interleague competition now involves the Western Border, Mid-South East and Kowree Naracoorte Tatiara leagues.
Andrew has been involved with 29 interleague contests. He recalls the 2018 clash, when Western Border defeated Glenelg.
“There were a few brilliant bus trips,” he said.
Mr Robinson enjoys helping the non-playing coaches from what he sees when watering the troops on the field.
“I am out there and I can see it a lot closer, I let the coaches know and tell the guys before they go out,” he said.
Scooter added a couple more names from the up-and-coming players for the red and black, Sam Lock and Connor Barry. No doubt Mr Robinson will be running water out to them for years to come.
He recalled what he likes most about being involved with East Gambier Football Club.
“Being a true club person. Like I said , being mates. We treat each other well and with respect,” Mr Robinson said.
