FLAG GLORY WORTH PAIN
AMID the euphoria, Dylan Holland cut an emotional figure.
With his left arm in a sling, courtesy of a bump that dislocated his shoulder, Holland choked back tears. But these were happy tears.
There was relief, pure elation and a sense of pride for Holland.
After a season from hell, dealing with elbow and shoulder dislocations, the heart and soul of the Seagulls for the past decade was finally a premiership player.
“I’m not feeling any pain right now,” Holland said as tears rolled down his cheek.
“Seeing my family and friends and how much it means to the (team) and the town, (that’s when I got emotional).
“It’s been since ’93 when we last won a flag and I wanted it more for them than anything else. I always strive to do it for the town and I’m glad we’ve done it.”
While the game was in the Seagulls’ keeping with 10 minutes remaining on the clock, Holland was unable to get through the grand final unscathed, re-injuring the troublesome shoulder that restricted him to just seven games this season — and his first since Round 11.
“I went up for a spoil and I got my legs taken out,” Holland said.
“I went to land and landed on my elbow and it (shoulder) just came out. So my dislocated elbow is fine, it’s my shoulder that popped out when I came out.”
Holland, who recently turned 30, insists he was no risk, despite failing to get through the game.
“No, I did the rehab and I could have come back a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“But for other reasons I didn’t play. I got them sorted and I came back.
“I had doubts throughout the year, but I had a good support base around me, good networks and good people around the club, but it’s all good.”
Holland said he was kept on edge by co-coaches Mitch Herbison and Troy Mitchell about his possible inclusion in the team, but felt a sense of relief when he was named to return for the first time since Round 11.
“Until Monday night, I didn’t know if I was going to be playing or not, but I got the indication that I was going to get the nod,” he said.
“It’s been really tough. I can’t really put it into words, but standing right here today and (to win) for the town and the club, it’s all worth it.”