Phil Avery (Descendants of Mahalia Bolger (Weymouth) will break the late Dan Lauletta’s club record, playing his 329th club game, after a long and storied career playing for the Hawks across the Senior, Reserves and Thirds sides.

Phil has been part of HAFC for 30 years, and his trophy cabinet boasts an impressive array of accolades, including club and league best and fairest across multiple years and for multiple teams.

Congratulations Phil, we look forward to celebrating this impressive achievement with you this weekend! 

Phil soars to new heights with the Hawks

By Jason Bennett · April 10, 2025

https://www.vafa.com.au/news/2025/04/10/phil-soars-to-new-heights-with-the-hawks/ 

It was an emotional afternoon at Rathmines Road Reserve last Saturday as Hawthorn Amateur Football Club great PHIL AVERY (Descendants of Mahalia Bolger (Weymouth)  broke the all-time Club Games Record by running out for his 329th match.

A big crowd of family and friends were on hand to mark Phil’s special occasion as the Hawthorn Thirds hosted Old Trinity in the fourth and final game of a quadruple header at the Hawks’ nest, continuing an incredible 30-year association between Avery and the Hawks.

Phil managed to sneak forward late and slot a relatively rare goal, which sent his fan club into raptures.

“I played soccer as a kid and only took up footy when I was 18,” Phil recalls.

“I was playing cricket for Bulleen and my cricket coach, Max McColl, also coached the footy team and invited me to come down for a run. I played for Bulleen United for five or six years.

“I knew a few guys at Hawthorn. It was local and more convenient, so I moved there. We only had Clubbies (Club XVIII) to begin with.

“My first game was memorable for all the wrong reasons. I came off the bench, charged in and laid a shepherd in the first 5 seconds of being on the ground. I completely winded myself in that collision and had to come straight off again!”

That was 1996. A mind-blowing thirty years and 329 games later, Phil’s passion for the Hawks is as strong as ever.

“I reckon I’ve played 240-odd games in the Seniors, 70 in the Reserves and 15 or so in the Thirds, which re-formed last year. In that time, I’ve played in two flags – the 1998 Seniors and the 2018 Reserves.

“I’ve also played in 7 losing Grand Finals. We’ve had so many good teams over the years, but things just didn’t go our way on the day. It happens. But despite the frustration, I’ve never walked away and thought ‘I’ve had enough.’

“You have three options – stay where you are, go to another club or retire. I wouldn’t ever go to another club and while I’m still fit, I’m really excited to keep playing.”

A stoic defender, Phil won the League Best & Fairest in 1998 and four club Best & Fairests (Seniors 1996 & 98, Reserves 2018 & 22). Club captain in 1999 and having held multiple off-field roles within the Football Department and Committee, he is a HAFC Life Member.

But his greatest thrill came in 2024, when he got the opportunity to cement the Avery family legacy by running out with his four sons.

“Playing with my own kids in recent years has revived me. I watched my four boys (Eamonn, Magnus, Stirling & Moss) grow up around the club over the years. They all started out as waterboys and boundary umpires. I enjoy that they’ve got involved in a sporting club with such a good mix of people. I’m grateful that they’re fit and active.

“To run out with them last year was really special. I’ll never forget it.”

Breaking the Hawks’ games record is another milestone moment that will live long in Phil’s memory. It’s particularly significant given who he has replaced atop the leaderboard.

The former games-record holder, Dan Lauletta, is an iconic figure at the Hawks, having kicked over 1000 goals, won multiple club and league Best & Fairests, plus leading goalkicker awards.

A former teammate of Phil’s, Dan sadly passed away from leukaemia in 2018. The team went on to win the premiership – Phil holding a picture of Dan in the team photo:

“I was quite cautious about breaking Dan’s record,” Phil admits. “I know his Mum and Dad – they still come down and watch us on occasions and my memories of Dan are still very strong. He was a really special person who died too young.

“I’ll never forget the Saturday after he passed away. It was a wonderful day of celebration. Sad, but wonderful.

“We were complete opposites. He was the star full-forward and I was in the backline. He dominated Saturday nights and I was not like that at all. But we shared so many games together. Footy clubs bring very different people together like that.”

Photo: 2010 Presentation Night. Phil (second from left), Dan Lauletta (far right).

“I’ve made truckloads of good friends. I would never have the same number of Facebook friends if I wasn’t involved at the footy club. I appreciate that network of relationships more as I get older.

“There’s always a new crop of 10-15 people to meet and get to know every year – to chat with, learn their stories from around the world. I enjoy having those introductory conversations with people. I was chatting to a father of a new player the other day. It was really nice to talk to him about the environment we’ve created around the club and he then trusts us to look after his kid from a footy perspective.

“It’s a special place. We started the ‘Wings’ program around 2007, 2008. We had a couple of players that took their own lives and a father of a player also. I was involved in the Committee at the time and, at that stage, it was all about awareness. Mental health challenges were just starting to be talked about more openly in society.

“We started a breakfast to raise money and now it’s an annual event to bring awareness to mental health. We have a mental health fund that players can access if they’re struggling and need to see a professional. Being involved with ‘Wings’ has done a lot for me personally. I grew up in an age where mental health challenges were seen as a weakness, but this has helped me understand it so much better.”

On the field, Phil has seen the game change enormously over his 30 years of pulling on the boots.

“In the old days, you’d win the ball in the backline and kick up the line,” he chuckles.

“Now the ball moves around pretty quickly. Lots of direction changes with 45-degree kicks. The ‘High Press’ is now in the game. It used to be stay on your man at all times! I’ve liked how it’s evolved over time and you have to evolve with it.

“I was always pretty mellow on the field. At my age, I can get away with being a little more verbal these days! You end up having chats with blokes you’ve played against regularly over the years. There are no sheep-stations on the line, so while it’s good to be competitive, no-one gets overly serious.”

At 52 years young, Phil’s desire to keep having a kick in the Ammos on Saturday hasn’t waned a bit.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate over the years – 7 broken fingers, but only one bad injury, which was a broken ankle two years ago. That was a worry as I wondered whether that might be it. But I got back and was able to tape it up and run, so I kept on going!

“I definitely feel sore on Sunday and Monday, but I feel a responsibility to the club to keep playing while I can. If I can still pull on the boots and participate effectively, then why shouldn’t I? I feel like I’ve chosen the right moment over the years to drop down from the Seniors to Reserves to Thirds.

“I don’t train much these days, but I still like the physical activity and the competition. They’re the main things that keep me going. It helps me stay fit, so even when I wake up sore, I still know it’s good for me.

“There will be a point when I need to stop playing, but I’ll want to stay involved in how the club operates and keeps people together. I’ll find myself running the boundary or being involved in some way.

“Seven or eight years ago, someone observed that we’re like a country football club in a suburban area. We do get a lot of players come from the country – places like Warrnambool, Phillip Island, Bairnsdale, Echuca. Usually, one joins the club, and then the next year, they bring 4 or 5 of their mates. It’s that sort of place. A real welcoming country footy club vibe.”

“Playing 329 games shows my commitment and love for the club. I’d never really thought about it like that. But it’s like my second family. It keeps me young. I’m continually talking to young people who aren’t my kids.

“A former team-mate, Max Zavarella, who sadly passed away a couple of years ago, has twins. I watched them grow up and now they’re playing with us. It’s special.”

No-one makes it to 329 games over 30 years without a lot of support behind-the-scenes.

“First and foremost, I have to thank my wife Nicole for everything she’s done. She’s been awesome.

“As has my Mum, who’s now in her 80s and still comes to every game. She used to watch me in the Reserves and then Eamonn in the Seniors.

“I say to people thinking about giving footy a go – ‘It doesn’t matter whether you have any footy ability. Don’t worry about that. You can come in and play Thirds. You don’t need to be fantastic. You don’t need to be perfect. Just get involved.

“It will give you so much in return.”

As have you, Phil. As have you.

From all of us in the VAFA community, congratulations on your achievement and thank you for everything you’ve given (and continue to give) to our competition over three decades.

And here’s to the next three!

David freely gave his time supporting many sports throughout his lifetime and was an  invaluable member of each sports club he was associated with. 

In  recognition of his voluntary work, he has been awarded Life  Memberships of the Rambler Football and Cricket Clubs, as well as  the Murray Bridge Basketball Association. 

David particularly enjoyed  supporting his children, including assisting as sports trainer with Ramblers and Norwood Football Clubs whilst Gregory was playing  there. David rarely missed watching many of his 12 grandchildren participate at sporting events and he was a familiar face in the community.  

Ramber Football Club

The Rambler Football Club, nicknamed the Roosters, is an Australian rules football club that plays in the River Murray Football League and is one of two teams based in Murray Bridge, South Australia, the other being the Imperial Football Club.

Rambler Football Club (1932-present)

Early games between Ramblers and Imperials were rather small margins but the club's first win was quite a large margin with 16.16.112 to 5.11.41 against Imperials being the scoreline. The following week they defeated Mypolonga 14.8.92 to 11.9.75. That season saw Ramblers sit third on the ladder behind the 1st-placed Imperials and Mypolonga having the higher percentage. The 1931 Rambler Football Club played with navy guernseys, white shorts and red socks and changed to red and white jumpers in 1937, with the B-Grade team still playing with the former guernseys. Ramblers were known as the Redlegs until the 1950s when the current Roosters nickname was adopted.

The Ramblers FC still continues to field junior and senior football and netball teams in the River Murray Football League.

Greg played football for Ramblers and Junior Colts for the club and was later recruited by Norwood. 

He played U17s for the club and then in his first year of under 19s captained the side. One of his favourite memories at the Norwood Football Club was the day he torped the footy through for a goal from the centre. In order for Dad to play for Norwood he had to move to Adelaide. He however found that he didn’t like being away from his family or the country and returned home to play senior footy for Ramblers. Dad played centre half forward and was known for his strong ability to kick goals. 

Dad’s highest score for a game was 13 goals and he managed to do this twice, both times against Mannum. It was during this time that Dad played in both the 1979 and 1980 A grade premierships which were part of the legendary 4 in a row. He sustained many injuries throughout his career and would often laugh about a broken nose, broken fingers and lost teeth.

Black arm bands were worn byofficials, footballers and netballers at Mypolonga on Saturday as a mark of respect to the memory of Rambler identity Greg Rumbelow. Greg was a Rambler premiership player and also a junior grade coach a few seasons ago. 

In 1978, Greg twice kicked 11 goals against Mannum.As a prominent Rambler A grade cricketer in the mid to late 1970s, Greg was an almost unplayable fast bowler on the composition pitch at Le Messurier Oval. Greg took five wickets 14 times and six wickets three times. His best figures were 7/39 against Monarto in 1977/78 and 8/57 against Border Downsin 1978/79. 

Making his debut for Adelaide in A grade district cricket, Greg hit the first ball he faced for six and took a wicket with the first ball he bowled. This is believed to be an unequalled feat. 

Eulogy for Greg Rumbelow 

Read by Mark Rumbelow  (Edited)

Dad went to school at Murray Bridge North Primary School. At primary school Dad was always involved in school activities. He was house captain for sports days, captained and played schoolboys cricket and we had also better mention that he was proudly Captain of the Primary School Ballroom Dancing Team! 

Dad met Mum at the bar of the Rambler Football Club. Dad served mum a “hanno special” and she was hooked. Mum enjoyed watching Dad play football and the great atmosphere that was the football club. Dad proposed to Mum on the 3rd of January in 1981 which coincidently was also his treasured Aunty Maureen’s 31st birthday. 

Later that year Mum contracted chicken pox which was later reported in the Rambler Rooster News that she 256 spots and Rumbles had counted every one!

Mum and Dad lived at Mannum for a short time before Dad was transferred to the branch at Loxton. At Loxton he became involved with the Loxton North Football Club as a team manager and chairman of selectors and also coached a women’s A grade basketball team. Mum and Dad had some great times where they made many life long friends. 

Through out his life, Dad enjoyed spending time with all members of his family. Dad enjoyed his role as a big brother and his sisters respected and looked up to him so much that he could talk them into doing anything he wanted. My Aunties fondly remember playing cricket in the front yard where Dad would bat all afternoon and they would happily be his fielders. 

Dad was always the person that family members went to for advice and he was always the first one there in times of need. He fondly remembered times spent with uncles,  aunties and cousins and loved big family gatherings. 

Dad was proud of being a member of the Rumbelow family and the love for fishing that is associated with this name definitely ran through his blood. Dad often went fishing and thoroughly enjoyed going out on the ocean in his uncle’s boats.

Mark Rumbelow

Mark has played almost 250x A grade games, 4x A grade premierships, 2x at Ramblers, 1x Nuriootpa and 1x East Gambier.  He is currently Captain of the East Gambier Football Club. Mark has played in the SANFL at Central Districts, twice in the State Country Squad, as well as a number of zone carnival teams. near on 

After an impressive afternoon of football at the 2021 Limestone Coast Regional Carnival, many  local players have been rewarded selection in the Murray South East Zone  training squad. 

Matt Willson, Jayden Eldridge, Nick Lock, Todd Lockwood and Mark Rumbelow ensure the team has a strong Bulldogs flavour. 

Glen Lawrence Rosser

1951 - 2019

Ian Charles (Charlie) Rumbelow was born on 25 May 1946 to parents Geoffrey Malin Rumbelow and Shirley Dawn (nee Heath). 

Charlie’s love of sport continued when he became involved at the Rosewater Football Club when son, Adam, 7 years, was introduced to junior football 1987.  He established the Junior Development Committee and was its President from 1988 until 1996.  He was made a Life Member of the Club for efforts with juniors, and subsequently served the senior committee as Chairman (2003), Secretary (2006), and Treasurer (2012, 2013, 2014).

Charlie’s undertook the voluntary position of Western Suburbs Junior Football League (later Metro West JFL) as the Registrar.  The League was very progressive and introduced many firsts for football, not only juniors.  

• Digitisation of playing lists, providing the lists to the clubs, modified rules, just recently being introduced at AFL level (anti-concussion strategies)

• Recording of a match with videos being provided to the players, many of whom were in Adelaide for their education, and from the Lands in the far north and west of the State. 

• Introduction of “Grasshoppers”, a junior introductory grade for very young players 6 – 9 years, and played, with three games being played simultaneously across the ground.  

For his contribution, Charlie was made a Life Member of the league.

Charlies next challenge was to established a similar league across the southern part of inner Adelaide, Glenelg to Glenunga.  Charlie was the driving force for the formation of Metro South Junior League and was the Secretary from 1997 until 2002. Metro South became a very successful league with 13 clubs and about 50 teams, with additional players involved in Grasshoppers.

James Malen Rumbelow

SOUTH ADELAIDE FOOTBALL CLUB

Jim Rumbelow listed as a trainer in

 1980 coach Haydn Bunton

 1983 coach Graham Cornes

 1984 coach Graham Cornes

SAFNL  State of  Origin  Trainer