James Murphy
A PACKED crowd gathered at the East Gambier Football Club Friday evening for the inaugural Switch the headspace Match for Mental Health.
Raising funds and awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, the charity event was deemed an ultimate success.
The game itself was a spectacle to behold, as legends of the sport from AFL, SANFL and grassroots levels mixed it with community identities and some of our young local athletes.
In a fitting turn of events the game was a draw, although the final minute of the game was not without excitement.
Team Pale Ale’s Adam Todd took a mark to line up for a set shot after the siren, having just put the equaliser away from the same spot.
However, teammate for the night and former Greater Western Sydney Giant Shane Mumford landed a tackle on Todd and brought the game to a close at 80-all.
The match was played in great spirits and there were no shortage of highlights, with entertainment aplenty.
The Murdoch brothers Jordan and Brodie showed plenty of pace for the Pale team and broke open the pack on several occasions, while not shying away from the big sticks.
For Pacific Ale the likes of Ben Mules and Dane Swan showed they still had plenty of gas in the tanks, while local legends the likes of Adam “Hoggett” Merrett were not out of place despite a few years on the sidelines.
There were also some comical moments, including a smother to local MP Troy Bell in front of goal and a snap for goal from Spot On Fishing’s Jamie “Coatsy“ Coates.
Pacific was out to a quick start and set up a 37-6 point lead by the first break.
However, a resurgence in the second quarter levelled the playing field and Pale trailed by just a straight kick at half time.
From there the arm wrestle continued and the game remained up for grabs at the final change.
Team Pale trailed by just three points with the score at 58-61, before Pacific’s Adam Richards opened the fourth with a goal, moments after shaving his head for the cause.
The contest remained close and when Todd found the big sticks late in the game it was all tied up.
That was how it would remain and it could not have been a more fitting conclusion to what was a quality match.
The event itself was well received by all and prior to the game some formalities took place to welcome spectators and remind them of why they were there.
After losing a couple of mates to suicide in a short period of time Richards, together with Todd and Jesse Plunkett, decided something should be done to help raise mental health awareness in the region.
The idea for a charity game came to fruition after a conversation with Luke Thomson and from there Celeste and Shane Raymond joined the cause and a committee was formed.
“The committee has met once every two weeks for the last six months to organise this and they have done a fantastic job,” Richards said on the night.
“We have been overwhelmed with the support we have received from the community.
“It has been unmatched and shows how strong of a local community we have.”
Stalls were set up on the night by the various mental health and wellbeing services in the area, with the reason behind the game never lost on those present.
“Today is a day to spread awareness on mental health and how to handle it when someone close to you is struggling,“ Richards reflected during his pre-game speech.
“Mental health is something that 90 per cent of people have either struggled with themselves or know someone who has struggled with.
“It is so important that we all check on our friends and family members and remember that it is not weak to speak.”
Thomson shared some words as well, along with his thanks to all those who attended.
“Our goal was to set out and try to break that stigma and get people talking,” he said.
“It is a tough thing to talk about, but I think it is something which is getting a bit normalised the more we speak.
“Thanks to everyone for supporting us.
“Coming from a guy who has battled alone and battled with friends and family around me – it is a lot easier to battle with people around you.
“It does get easier and we don’t want to lose any more people to mental health.”
Funds are still being calculated, but all money raised will go back into the Mount Gambier Headspace branch.
Nick McInerney has been an important link between the committee and Headspace, while he also played in the game and provided his usual flare around the ground.
“I think we have already raised the awareness, which was the main focus of this event,” he said.
“Headspace is the recipient and we are really humbled to be able to receive such great community support.
“We have such a great community and proud people.
“Our support goes back into the people here and the young people in the Limestone Coast community ad we are really glad to be able to receive any funds that come from this awesome event.”
The match was followed by a raffle draw and auction, with plenty of generously donated prizes on offer.
For anyone in need of mental health support, Headspace Mount Gambier can be contacted on 8725 0443.
