Brady Rawlings Life Membership Speech
Brent Harvey Medal Presentation
Brent Harvey and Shannon Grant IV's
Adam Simpson Speech
Shannon Grant Retirement Speech
Jess Sinclair Retirement Speech
THIRD place in the Syd Barker Medal count took a back seat for North Melbourne midfielder Brady Rawlings, who was also inducted as a life member at Friday night’s function.
For a 181-game career that has included two club champion awards, in 2004 and 2006, the 27-year-old is a reluctant recipient.
Not because he doesn’t want life membership – far from it, but it just seems too soon to accept it.
Automatic qualification comes after 10 seasons at the elite level and, for Roos supporters, time has flown since a young Tasmanian made his debut in the club’s last premiership year of 1999.
For six seasons Rawlings has been one of the Roos’ most important players and his impact as a ball-winner is comparable to his renowned abilities as a tagger.
It was obvious in 23 games this season as he lifted his average to almost 20 possessions after a quiet start.
“I think playing every game obviously helps you in the best and fairest places, but I was probably trying to do what the coach tells me to every week,” Rawlings said.
“You don’t get best on ground every week [for it] but just doing what the coach tells you to probably gets you the votes that add up at the end of the year I suppose.”
But the evening’s addresses from coach Dean Laidley and captain Adam Simpson had Rawlings admit his contribution in the last weeks of 2008 would serve as motivation.
“We were filthy with how we ended [the season], we had a chance to steal fourth spot, we stuffed that up and then had a chance in the finals still and let it go down in the second half,” he said.
“It was very disappointing and I suppose when the coach spoke before about core players and leaders not standing up in those couple of games, I feel like it’s directed at a couple of us.
"I had a couple of poor games and I know a couple of the other boys did as well.”
Modest about his individual performances, the passionate clubman was moved by the knowledge he is forever bound to North.
“It’s number one for me,” he said. “There’s only one club for me, so to get to where I did tonight, life membership, is massive. I can’t speak highly enough of it.
“To be inducted into the club like that is a huge honour and some blokes take 25, 30 years’ service to get to that standard.
“For us (players) to do it after 10 years service feels a little bit awkward, but I can’t thank the club enough for what they’ve done for me over the 10 years. It’s been great.”
Rawlings was joined as a life member by list manager Tim Harrington, with 17 years service as a player and administrator, and Max Stone, who has combined 26 years as a part-time recruiter and room steward.
