The Norm Smith Oration returned for its 11th instalment last month, celebrating our great game in an intimate function in the Members’ Dining Room.
The Club’s premier football function highlights the purpose and sense of community that comes from sport and in particular the great game of AFL. This year, attendees were treated to reflections on the game from two of the sport’s prominent figures.
Introduced by host Tim Lane, McLachlan had one simple message to those in the room, borrowed from Danny Rohas – a character from popular Netflix series, ‘Ted Lasso’. “Football is life,” McLachlan said.
McLachlan’s nine years at the helm of the league have delivered spectacular success – from ground-breaking television rights deals, the introduction of a women’s competition, the management of two COVID-interrupted seasons and the granting of an AFL license to Tasmania.
McLachlan reflected on his earliest football memories, shared with brother Hamish, as the pair adopted their mother’s rose bushes as goal posts as they challenged themselves to slot a set shot from further and further down the street.
While not the most skilled footballer, the game taught McLachlan resilience, diligence and team work, as he endeavoured the break the stereotype that not all ruckmen were unintelligent. “Football life lessons are endless,” he said.
“You deal people. All sorts of people. Coaches, other players, long-term volunteers – the committed bloke, the journeyman, the contributor, the lazy bugger, the naturally gifted, the intellect, the general counsel, the resilient one, the trouble-maker, the good guy – there’s one of everyone.”
Football was a game for everyone.
“There are no bad footy clubs – just yours,” he said.
While his days of change room banter may be behind him, McLachlan now sees the game through the lens of his children.
“My kids will now use the game to understand community, connection and contribution.
“My kids are learning to socialise, to share, to support others, to be part of a team. They’re learning to accept and be accepted.”
Just as he and Hamish created their football memories together, he looks forward to watching on as his children do the same.
And when he steps away from his role as AFL CEO, football will still be life.
“Football and I will still be on close terms with each other. Just in a different form.”
Following a short interlude, Tim Lane welcomed Pearce to the dais for the response.
While Pearce’s football memories were clear, the pathway forward was less so.
“I didn’t see myself on the television, or in the newspaper,” Pearce said.
“I couldn’t be any of my heroes.”
Despite their being no end goal for Pearce, she craved improvement.
“I suppose I’d decided that it was alright to love someone that doesn’t love you back. As long they’re worth you loving them,” she said.
Despite all attempts to shake football, Pearce couldn’t let go.
It was eventually Darebin Football Club that opened up a world of women’s football that Pearce never thought possible.
“I now have 18-year-old friends and 50-year-old friends, private school friends and not formally educated friends, black and white friends, gay and straight friends, gender-diverse friends, fast but stupid friends and slow but smart friends, friends that will save me from a rough patch and friends that need saving themselves.
“Teammates and lifelong mates. Footy mates.”
When Pearce fell pregnant with twins, fulfilling her dream of one day becoming a mother, she felt like her other dream – winning a premiership with Melbourne – may have slipped away.
But she came to realise that being a mum as well as a footballer wasn’t a disadvantage, but her superpower.
Now, like McLachlan, Pearce is watching her children fall in love with the game just like she did.
The Club thanks McLachlan and Pearce for sharing their passion for the game and looks forward to welcoming members to the 12th Norm Smith Oration in 2024.