Super Saints kick in for EJ Whitten

By Mark Humphrey

With a bye scheduled for the Geelong Football League last Saturday, St Albans Football Club in conjunction with the St Marys Football Club re-scheduled their clash to incorporate an EJ Whitten Foundation fundraiser day.

Everything football.

In a day that was described by club President Michael Cobb as “the Super Saints true rivalry game” the guests were treated to a 3 course meal prepared by the Super Saints staff with light entertainment provided throughout the luncheon.

Guest speakers included Ted Whitten and former Hawthorn and VFL legend Peter Hudson.

St Albans Club President Michael Cobb far left with Foundation Guests Peter Hudson and Ted Whitten far right.

Super Saints President Michael Cobb started the proceedings by outlining the past December discussion that mooted the idea of putting together a fundraiser event for the EJ Whitten Foundation. Cobb went onto say “With local footy clubs seemingly having a tarnished reputation it seemed a good idea to put together a function that supported the EJ Whitten Foundation and the community in general”. He went on to say “you only have to look around the room to see a majority of middle aged men which are the backbone of local footy supporter bases”. He went on to thank St Marys President Jock McMahon for their co-operation and assistance in supporting the clubs request to have the fixtured game re-scheduled.

EJ Whitten Board of Director’s member Ted Whitten was next to speak thanking Cobb and the St. Albans Football Club for their initiative in putting together the fundraising event.

He spoke about the involvement with Monash University saying “The foundation is funding the first clinical prostate cancer research fellowship program of its type in Australia. Our vision is to ensure men affected by Prostate Cancer have access to the best treatments”. He also talked about the foundation’s involvement in other states and how the foundation has expanded as far as Alice Springs noting “that monies raised in the Alice were able to be feed directly into the community and the local health professionals making the Foundation a truly national foundation”.

For the Geelong region which was synonymous with EJ and his football commentary work on the local radio station K-Rock, the EJ Whitten Foundation run a rivalry round sportsman’s dinner for community partner The Geelong Football League. The sportsman’s dinner is being held on the Monday evening following the round 12 fixture and follows the annual Ray White Real Estate EJ Whitten Legends Game. Past hosts of the sportsman’s night have included Billy Brownless and Ian Cover along with comedians and special guest AFL players. Whitten went on to say that “this is a valuable fundraising night for the EJ Whitten Foundation working with Community Partner – Football & Netball Geelong”.

Next to speak was Peter Hudson who answered a series of question on his involvement with Hawthorn and Tasmanian football. Hudson took time out to explain his involvement with the EJ Whitten Foundation and how he is on the board of the Monash University. He talked at length about his days at Hawthorn, the 16 goal game, the 150 goal year and the current Hawthorn team. It was very interesting to hear some of the behind the scenes situations throughout his career and the environment that was the 70’s.

After the formalities Hudson and Whitten tossed the coin for the senior’s match with the coin toss being won by St Marys.

St Albans President Michael Cobb with Peter Hudson, Ted Witten &  the GFL umpires.

Peter Hudson with St Albans captain Clinton Proctor                                St Marys wins the toss                              

To finish up what was a successful day a memorabilia auction was held which included sports items across a range of sports with the prized auction item being an EJ Whitten Legends Game jumper complete with the “fossil” Sam Newman’s autograph.

EJ Whitten Legends Game jumper fetched the days highest bid.

The Foundation has their annual Legends game on this Wednesday night which is televised by the Nine Network and as mentioned their annual Football & Netball Geelong Sportsman Dinner next Monday.

For further information on the EJ Whitten Foundation go to www.ejwhittenfoundation.com.au.

For the record the Super Saints won the “Peter King” cup beating St Marys 11.12-78 to St Marys 6.10-46.

Local Football Netball Geelong  Footy St Albans V St Marys

Local football Netball Geelong Netball St Albans V St Marys