Birregurra gets behind Lachie, one of its own
LACHIE Henderson never played much football for Birregurra.
As a couple of locals tell it, his time as a junior was absorbed with school commitments at Geelong College.
But the town is getting behind one of its own in Saturday night’s AFL Grand Final.
“A lot of people get a lot of joy just out of watching someone they know … and he’s playing well, which is even better,” Lachie’s dad Ian Henderson said.
The Henderson name is synonymous with Birregurra.
“One of the streets that runs up the hill, that’s Henderson’s Hill,” former Birregurra coach and president Damian Melican said.
“The Henderson family is part of Birregurra.”
Ian is a keen golfer and, if he’s not working as a local vet, he can typically be found at the golf club keeping the grass down at the nine-hole course.
It’s where Lachie goes for a hit when he gets a chance, Ian said.
Lachie’s career was at the crossroads when he was delisted last year, only to be given another chance as a rookie.
He now gets a chance to become a premiership player in his 13th season and 185th game.
“I’ve always been proud of him but I’m happy for him, very happy for him,” Ian said. “It’s fantastic, I reckon.” Birregurra Football Club vice-president John Cotton lives not far from the Henderson family and played local football with Ian in the 1980s.
“The town — and especially the footy club — is obviously very proud of Lachie,” Cotton said.
“He remembers where he comes from. He’s down to earth and occasionally plays golf down here. He’s not a bad golfer either.
“He’s a good country lad, you might say.”
COVID-19 means there won’t be a big town gathering and Ian will take in the decider from the Gabba at home with wife Vonnie.
“No special big thing,” Ian said of his plans.
“I’m very disappointed it’s not in Melbourne … but then again, it’s not for me, it’s for him and it doesn’t matter where it is, as long as you’re in the grand final.”
Henderson would join dual Melbourne premiership player Alan Rowarth, who played in the Demons’ 1959-60 flags, as only the second Birregurra person to have played in a winning grand final.
Henderson came into the side in Round 8 and has since held his spot.
He only retained his place on the list for 2020 after Ryan Abbott joined St Kilda.
But he’s been one of Geelong’s best finals performers.
“He’s taken that opportunity and … it’s fantastic that he’s been able to get back in,” Cotton said.
“He has a big opportunity.”