By RUSSELL BENNETT
COURAGE, strength under adversity, inspiring leadership and a never-say-die fighting spirit – Sunday’s Anzac Tribute footy clash between the Upwey Tecoma and Emerald veterans teams typified everything the country’s servicemen and women stand for.
The result, too, was only fitting – hard-fought until the end.
An undermanned Upwey Tigers came away with a nail-biting one point win against the odds, 11.8 (74) to 11.7 (73).
Upwey utility Mark Lindsay was named the best and most courageous player on the ground and won the Donovan Joynt Medal, which was struck in memory of the World War I soldier and former Emerald RSL member who was awarded the Victoria Cross (VC) in 1918.
Joynt won the VC, the highest military decoration for valour for leading a group of men through Plateau Wood in France and taking German positions while heavily outnumbered and outgunned.
Lindsay starred for the Tigers, booting a swag of goals and also chipping in across half-back and pinch-hitting in the centre of the ground when needed.
Matt Dale, Ian Paterson, David Grant and Ian Atkinson stood tall behind Lindsay in a game where both sides were reduced to 16 men.
The game was neck-and-neck all day at Chandler Reserve in front of a host of footy tragics who turned out to see their local heroes of yesteryear turn it on once again.
The day’s highlights included a minute’s silence, the playing of the last post, and the singing of the national anthem before the game.
On field, Emerald’s Jon McGough pulled off a piece of sheer wizardry – working his magic with a brilliant goal hard up against the boundary line in the forward pocket in the second quarter.
