Newland Electorate

Dr HARVEY (Newland) (15:42): I would like to congratulate the Tea Tree Gully District Football Club on winning its very first ever division 1 final in the Adelaide Football League against, I am sorry to say, Mr Speaker, Rostrevor Old Collegians—

The SPEAKER: Outrageous!

Dr HARVEY: —a number of weeks ago at the Thebarton Oval. After finishing second at the end of the home and away season, Tea Tree Gully won its first two finals to go straight into the grand final, which they then won and which was better than two seasons ago, when they got to the final but unfortunately lost, and last season, when they went out a week earlier.

In particular, I would like to congratulate coach, Justin Maschotta; captain, Alex McKay; and all the players. I would also like to acknowledge the club president, John Curley, and the committee, as well as the Tea Tree Gully Sportsman's Club and its president, Peter Martin, and their committee, as well as all the volunteers and supporters who contribute so much to the club.

This has also been a challenging season for the club following the passing of former team mate John Birkin last December, and also earlier this season with the sudden cardiac arrest on the ground of their under-18 player Tyler Bennett. However, thanks to the quick-thinking actions of Alex McKay and Peter Martin, as well as the Brighton Football Club's trainer, Helen Wise, Tyler survived this extraordinary ordeal. I would like to congratulate the Tea Tree Gully Football Club on its success. I also congratulate a fellow umpire Chris Rasch, who not only officiated in the grand final at Thebarton Oval but also won the Casey Cooper Medal for the best field umpire in the league following an outstanding season.

Football grand finals go further within Newland as well. I also congratulate the Kersbrook Football Club on its successful season. They had three out of four teams reaching the division 2 Hills League final that was held on a very cold and wet day in Callington, where we were hosted by the Bridgewater Callington Raiders Football Club and where I caught up with my friend and colleague the member for Heysen, who, along with other volunteers within the club, was busy selling pies and pasties.

I would like to congratulate the Senior Colts and B-grade side on winning their games, becoming premiers for the 2018 season. The A-grade side fought to the end, but unfortunately went down to the Ironbank Football Club in the final. They got off to a bit of a slow start. They fought right through to the end, but unfortunately did not quite get over the line.

I would like to acknowledge senior captain/coach, Brett James; club president, Tony Humphrey, and the committee; Kersbrook Soldiers Memorial Park president, Justin Goodman, and the committee; and of course all the players, volunteers and supporters who do so much work to keep these clubs alive.