If ever there was an event that symbolised the recovery of our city in the post-COVIDd world, then this season’s grand final was it.
During the past two years we have all been confronted with innumerable challenges, and in hard times it is only natural that we search for something to give us hope.
The Geelong Football Club has provided that for so many people across our region and on Saturday it did so again.
I want to congratulate chief executive Steve Hocking, coach Chris Scott and captain Joel Selwood on an amazing year and pay tribute to the work they have done in the community for so long.
There are many significant institutions in Geelong that do outstanding work in the community including Deakin University, Barwon Health and Give Where You Live.
But it is difficult to think of an organisation whose work brings so much joy to as many people as the Geelong Football Club does.
It was fitting that Joel was awarded the Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award for his community work in the week leading into the grand final.
On Saturday, his commitment to putting others first was on display for everyone to see.
It was there when he carried young Levi Ablett on to the ground as the Cats entered the stadium, and then again after the game when he presented his boots to an Auskick player.
If that was not enough, he then brought the club’s water boy, Sam Moorfoot, on to the field to join in the team’s celebrations.
In the greatest moment of his illustrious career, Joel was still thinking of others.
It is that inclusion, as well as the fact there are so many local products in the team, that helps to highlight the reasons why the football club means so much to the people of Geelong.
But I think it is also true that while the Cats are good for the city, the relationship is mutually beneficial.
As we have seen in recent times, the ever-increasing popularity of our region as a lifestyle destination has aided the club in attracting quality recruits, such as star forward Jeremy Cameron.
Being in a regional centre helps separate Geelong from the nine metropolitan Melbourne clubs and provides prospective players with a distinct choice between the hustle and bustle of the capital city or the laidback nature of living in a coastal or semi-rural environment within reach of world class restaurants, wineries and a growing arts and cultural scene.
As a city that should fill us with great optimism as we continue our recovery from the past two years.
Geelong saw one of the largest population increases in the country during the pandemic as home buyers sought out more space and a change of pace.
It is clear this also benefitted the Cats, which is an added bonus for the city.
But full credit must go to the Geelong Football Club for its capacity to attract and retain high quality people both on and off the field and instilling a culture that made it such an appealing organisation to work for.
Saturday’s win was just reward for years of hard work and I congratulate the board, the executive, the players and staff on their success.
