ONE YEAR ON, THE TIGERS AND EAGLES HONOUR FALLEN LEADER
IT is a pain still so raw only one year on, but one which Brock Hamill now hopes to ensure his friend’s loss will never be in vain.
The Southport Tigers and Currumbin Eagles will clash in the second annual Ben Hamlet Memorial game, 13 months on from when the concept’s namesake and former premiership winning captain was laid to rest.
Hamill and his Tigers teammates and rivals alike will be out to raise awareness for mental illness after Hamlet tragically took his own life, aged just 21.
Hamill said there was a palpable feeling around the Southport squad in the lead up to this contest.
From coaching staff down to the playing group, they all knew there was more at stake than an ordinary contest. They were out to be part of a solution that ensures others do not suffer in silence in the same way their fallen teammate did.
“Benny was always a tough little winger when he played and he didn’t take no rubbish from other people. In our juniors – I think it was under-15s or under-16s – he was our captain, so for him to be captain and on the wing he had to be pretty tough,” Hamill said.
“He was always straight up, but also a really deep down to earth boy. I’m always talking to his brother Jack and I see Bruce (his dad) here and there. I’m always trying to keep in touch but I think they’re doing well and their heads are high.
“Being one year it’s a pretty special game to play and not only for me but some of the boys in the team who were close to him as well. This game is all about raising awareness for mental illness, and that’s why we’ll be going out there to do our best to do that.”
Hamill has endured his own health battles in his young life, and through his experiences he has seen rugby league evolve into a channel for discussion around mental illness awareness. The hard-edge forward overcame testicular cancer as an 18-yearold, just as he was beginning to make an impression within the Canterbury Bulldogs’ ranks.
The way Hamill spoke at the time was that of an optimistic young man, saving his frustration for the fact he would lose his long orange locks through chemotherapy.
But Hamill said it was the support network he had around him on and off the field that bestowed him such an outlook. He said the game had transformed from the bulletproof mentality of yesteryear to be an avenue to feel safe in being vulnerable.
Now it was up to the players to embrace that mentality to ensure each individual felt that same solace when they found themselves in the doldrums.
“It definitely has evolved and it’s turning into a game where we can talk and speak up, rather than hide our feelings,” Hamill said.
“With my experience I was just so lucky to have such a good support around me, but I was in a mind where I knew I could speak up and talk about my feelings.
“I wish Ben knew he could’ve come
out and talked to anyone. Just speak up, talk to your mum and dad, there will be someone there to listen you.”
Southport will aim to win their third-straight game against the Eagles on Saturday night, as the yellow and black outfit of stars at last begin to click.
After losing their opening two rounds, former NRL guns Greg Bird, Sione Katoa and Michael Oldfield have found their stride and Hamill said it was Bird’s influence in particular that had rubbed off on him.
“He’s had a massive influence on my game. Greg Bird was one of my idols growing up and I was always watching him play for New South Wales,” Hamill said.
“He was such a physical and aggressive player, and I wanted to try and turn my game into that. Learning off him will be good this year, and hopefully many years to come.
“We definitely are better than from when we started. We are gelling together, and this game we want to win this – it means so much to us.”
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