BEYOND THE BOUNDARY – ROWAN McSPARRON
For 17 years, Newtown & Chilwell supporters have revelled in the sight of Matt McMahon winning a centre clearance and bursting forward to set up another forward foray.
Their last chance of witnessing local football poetry in motion will come tomorrow, with the three-time Mathieson medalist hanging up the boots following the Eagles’ clash with Leopold.
For the man known universally as ‘Jet’ at the Towners, it’s mixed emotions.
“I’m so ready for it to be the last time,” McMahon told K rock Football. “Day to day, you’re ready for the next chapter.
“But, every time you’re around the club, and especially the group of guys you play football with, it’s ‘Yeah. I’m really going to miss this’.
“That’s the great thing about football – the connection you make with a group of guys. You’re willing to do anything for them.
“That’s the hard part to comprehend at the moment.
“The competitive side of football, it’s something I’ve always loved. Right now, it’s more missing the camaraderie around the boys all doing something together.”
After an injury-impacted 2024 campaign, McMahon will put his battle-weary body on the line for a club 1st XVIII record 256th and final time.
The 34-year-old admits it’s been a grind to get his body to the point of being able to front up one last time.
McMahon revealed that conversations with coach Damien McMahon have been ongoing about returning to action, having last played in the shock loss to St Albans on July 27.
“A few weeks ago, we came to the conclusion, ‘don’t focus on anything other than getting yourself right for the last game’,” he said.
“I’ll give it everything I’ve got one last time.”
McMahon’s retirement will be part of an emotion-charged day at Elderslie Reserve.
Newtown & Chilwell will pay tribute to local football great Frank Fopiani, whose son Connor plays with the club, with a ceremony before the game.
The clash with the Lions also marks the end of Damien McMahon’s eight-year reign as coach of the Eagles.
“The last month, it’s been quite an emotional time at the club,” Matt McMahon said. “We really love ‘Macca’, and he’s been, I think, the best recruit the club’s ever had.
“You talk about players as a recruits all the time, but the time, effort, and support he’s shown everyone and the club, it’s just been amazing.
“It’s been a hard time, the last month, knowing it’s his last year as well.
“Shaun (McWilliam), Macca, and myself all sat down eight years ago and had a vision of where we wanted to go and make the club stronger, and we’ve always stood by that.
“Obviously, we haven’t achieved the ultimate success. But, I hope Macca can walk away knowing the foundations he’s laid down will hold us in really good stead.
“It’s unbelievable to see the passion, and his work ethic as a coach is second to none.”
Leopold, which is locked into a qualifying final no matter how final round results fall, will make three changes.
Captain Marcus Thompson will be sidelined after undergoing plastic surgery on a deep wound suffered in a head clash with teammate Daniel Pitcher in the win over St Albans.
Talented defender Bailey van de Heuvel (soreness) and experienced big Jye Cross are also out of the team that annihilated North Shore last week.
Key forwards Connor Giddings and Max Annandale return, and key defender Tev Nofi will play his first game since the Round 12 win over Geelong West.
Jarryd Garner will make his return from a broken hand among five changes for St Mary’s as it prepares to face Bell Park at Hi Sushi Oval.
The star midfielder has been sidelined since the Round 12 meeting with Newtown & Chilwell.
The Saints have also regained the experienced Zak Sherman, the classy Brayden Ham, and young gun Michael Rudd following his VFL debut for Carlton two weeks ago.
Kane Loftus has been recalled from the reserves.
Matthew Keast, Kade Chalcraft, Charlie Vallelonga, Mackenzie Butcher, and Lachy Peck are out of the team that hammered St Albans last week.
Keast and Chalcraft will feature in tomorrow’s VFL Werribee-Geelong qualifying final with the Tigers and the Cats, respectively.
Vallelonga and Round 17 debutant Butcher have been omitted, and scans confirmed Peck’s worst fears of a ruptured ACL suffered in the win over St Albans.
The Dragons, who need to win to guarantee a finals berth, have lodged three changes from the team that overcame Grovedale last week.
After a head knock last week, Jake Reid will be sidelined as a precaution, Osca Riccardi has a minor back complaint, and Nick Petering a tight quad.
They’ve been replaced by Geelong Falcon-listed Kobe George, Jack Purcell, and Rhys McWaters.
Importantly for Bell Park, Hamish Lucas and Jack Sarcevic were overlooked for Geelong VFL selection.
Colac has included the experienced Kody Spokes for its must-win clash with St Joseph’s at Drew Oval.
Joeys have named Ben Kamaric for his first game since Round 1 as the replacement for Josh Nurnaitis (concussion).
South Barwon has rewarded forward Fin Brown for some impressive form in the reserves with a final-round senior debut against Geelong West.
From Torquay, Brown, who replaces Will Sexton (knee), has been with the Swans post-Covid. He sits equal sixth on the GFNL reserves goal-kicking table with 29 majors for the season.
The Giants welcome back Angus Codd as the replacement for Phil Moimoi.
North Shore will finally get to mark open-age game 250 of Aaron Seller when it ends its season at Burdoo Reserve against Grovedale.
Seller, who has been sidelined with compartment syndrome in his calf, has been named in an extended squad along with potential debutant Alex Podolak.
Podolak, a former Geelong West and Lara junior has played six games in the Seagulls’ reserves.
The Tigers have named Tyler Cummins for his third senior game of the year as the replacement for star forward Mitch Chafer, who suffered a dislocated shoulder in last week’s to Bell Park.
In the battle of clubs farewelling coaches, Lara and St Albans have made multiple changes for the clash at Bisinella Oval.
Devon Smith, who is stepping down with co-coach Shayne Stone at the final siren, returns.
Smith’s brother Josh and captain Billy Goodwin have been named on an extended bench.
Connor Linehan-Cunningham is facing 12 months on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in the loss to St Joseph’s.
The Supersaints, who are farewelling Alex Tortora after three seasons in charge, have included Sam Donegan. Noah Guida and Jacob Whitfield are returning from injury, and Cody Brogden is back for his first senior game since Round 14 after a week in the reserves.
Chris Jreige, Sam Ryan, Jack Bumpstead, and Michael Navarro have been dropped.
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