Local Carlton fans were feeling anything but blue on Saturday as a two time Coleman medallist and Carlton Football Club Hall of Fame Inductee made several appearances around the South East.
Brendan “Fev” Fevola was this year’s special guest at the East Gambier Sportsman’s Club President’s Luncheon on Saturday which saw a record 200 people in attendance.
Fevola spoke about his colourful AFL life including his gambling addiction and when he ate two McChicken burgers and drank two cans of Jim Beam before the 1999 New Year’s Eve AFL match in which he kicked 12 goals to catapult his illustrious career.
East Gambier Football Club president Peter Dwyer said a positive turnout greeted the AFL great.
“It was just to sit around and say thankyou to all our sponsors and we had the opportunity to have a guest like Fev there and we took it. We just knew the right person at the right time and everything married up,” he said.
“There was food, beer and wine and everyone just had a few laughs and things like that.
“He spoke for nearly an hour, mainly about how it all started, a bit of what’s going on now and what he’s doing, a fair bit of comedy and a few things we had not heard before.
“We picked the right guest, he is still pretty relevant being on radio and that still and not that long retired.
“I would like to thank our sponsors because it is getting a lot harder these days to run a club with the cost of living and everything.”
Former East Gambier Football Club president and Globe Hotel manager Aaron Davis said the biannual luncheons usually attract around 150 guests.
“It is all for our sponsors that help run the clubs and then if people wanted to come along then there were tickets getting sold as well,” he said.
“It is the event of the year for the club and our clubroom is really done up. Everyone was stoked.
“You have some who do not want to engage at all whereas he (Fevola) was the most engaging one we have ever had there. He was happy to sign anyone’s merchandise, he had photos with kids, women and everything.
“Thank you to all the sponsors that support East Gambier Football and Netball Club during the year.”
East Gambier Sportsman’s Club President’s Luncheon past guests include other former AFL stars Peter Daicos, Mick Daniher and Anthony Koutoufides and Australian basketball legend Phil Smyth.
Fevola was also the guest of honour at the Globe Hotel on Saturday night where he took photos with, talked to and partied the night away with delighted patrons.
