Today in Parliament, I paid tribute to the Geelong Cats football club and it’s captain Joel Selwood who, after 16 years and 355 games, has announced his retirement.
SPEECH IN PARLIAMENT
It’s my great pleasure to rise and pay tribute to an extraordinary footy club, the mighty Geelong Cats. I was so proud to be there on the weekend watching a magnificent club, underpinned by incredible values, take home another premiership. Very sadly, I wasn’t at the parade through our city streets but I was there in spirit. I have loved the Cats for as long as I can remember.
When I used to play netball at the Kardinia Park courts, I would then head over – in the standing room – and watch my beloved Cats play. This comes at a time when its mighty captain, Joel Selwood, has today announced his retirement from the game after a record-breaking career. I want to pay tribute to Joel, to an amazing captain again, someone with incredible values of leadership, of community contribution who has been extraordinary.
I’m just referring to the Geelong Cats statement which says that: “… since he was drafted to Geelong in 2006, arguably no other person has had the impact that Joel has had within the AFL, both on and off the field.”
He is a magnificent captain surrounded by a magnificent playing group. But from Steve Hocking down, from the CEO, it is a wonderful club.
We are very proud to have the Geelong Cats in our city and I want to wish Joel all the very best. And here’s hoping and wishing that there will be a back-to-back premiership next year.
Go the mighty Cats. I love you with all of my heart and I am so proud of your achievements. Thank you.