Graham Hart was a dual premiership player at Lavington and Osborne

BRENT GODDE: Where were you born and bred?

GRAHAM HART: At Queanbeyan on the outskirts of Canberra before moving to the central coast as a teenager.

BG: You made your senior debut for the Bateau Bay Blues in the local competition?

GH: I made my senior debut as a 15-year-old and only played a handful of matches at the club.

BG: You played Teal Cup for NSW as a teenager?

GH: Quite a few of my teammates were from around here including Nev Nugent, Mark Sanson and Jason Mooney.

BG: You were talented enough to attract the attention of the Sydney Swans talent scouts?

GH: I played two-and-half seasons in the under-19s as well as a few reserve matches in 1991.

BG: Carlton legend Mark 'Sellers' Maclure was coaching the reserves in 1991?

GH: 'Sellers' knew how to fire players up before a game and could also deliver a fierce spray if you stuffed up.

BG: Did you have a few nights on the syrup with the Carlton legend?

GH: That was one thing about 'Sellers' he would get things off his chest and then be the first bloke to have a beer with you. It's fair to say he was big on the social side of football and team bonding.

BG: Sounds like a play hard, party hard mantra?

GH: It was pretty much the Carlton mode in Sydney back then.

BG: You also credit your under-19 coach Greg Harris for a lot of your development?

GH: Greg was a real mentor for young blokes like myself, not only from a football perspective but as well as how to conduct yourself off the field.

BG: The following season in 1992 you were elevated to the senior list. How close did you come to achieving your AFL dream?

GH: I was a bit off the mark but played a few reasonable matches in the reserves. I have no doubt my best football was post the Sydney Swans.

BG: The Swans were the whipping boys of the competition during that era?

GH: In 1992 both the seniors and reserves ended up with the wooden spoon. Gary Buckenara was coach and had just replaced Col Kinnear.

BG: After four-and-a-half years with the Swans you were delisted as a 20-year-old?

GH: It seemed like it was over in the blink of an eye.

BG: You first met the Sanson brothers during your time in Sydney?

GH: I played State football with the Sansons in the Shell Cup but didn't really get to know them until I moved to Sydney.

BG: You lived with the Sansons in Sydney?

GH: More with Mark then Tim but I did live with them both.

BG: Who was the MasterChef out of you three?

GH: Looking back it was a bit of a rugged environment. Fortunately we didn't have to cook much because we had a couple who would help us with the household duties and cooking.

BG: So it was good tucker then?

GH: I don't want to be too critical but let's just say the couple wouldn't have lasted too long on MasterChef.

BG: After you were delisted the Sanson brothers and yourself were close to signing with Griffith in 1995?

GH: After I was delisted I had a couple of seasons playing with Sydney University where I studied my greenkeeping apprenticeship.

BG: Griffith heard that you were on the move?

GH: We were close to signing with Griffith but decided to go separate ways and the Sansons joined Lavington and I ended up at Narrandera.

BG: You spent the one season with Narrandera?

GH: It was mainly job related because I had one year to serve on my apprenticeship. It was a good experience playing in the Riverina league.

BG: You were reunited with the Sanson brothers at Lavington in 1996?

GH: Obviously I knew the Sansons but the assistant coach of Lavington at the time was Brendan Roberson who I had spent time with at Sydney.

BG: You knew quite a few of the players at Lavington?

GH: Blokes like Paul McMaster and I had previously lived with Gavin McMahon as well.

BG: You were fortunate enough to play in a grand final in your first season at Lavington Oval against Albury?

GH: We enjoyed a dominant season and won the second semi-final against Wangaratta Rovers to take the direct route to the decider while Albury had to do it tough after losing their first final.

BG: Albury coach Paul Spargo came out of retirement to play during the finals series?

GH: I remember Spargo pulled on the boots again and to his credit had an influential finals series.

BG: Did Lavington let a golden opportunity slip in the grand final?

GH: That's probably a fair comment but it was no shame in getting beat by Albury. The Tigers were a powerhouse and history says they won three flags in-a-row during that time.

BG: Do you despise Albury as much as your good mate 'Timba'?

GH: I've always been a believer in don't worry about the things you can't influence, spend your energy on the things you can.

BG: That's a very diplomatic answer?

GH: To be honest I think the hatred between Albury and Timba gets blown out of proportion and 'Timba' plays on that a bit as well.

BG: Are you envious of Albury's recent success?

GH: The way I see it Albury has got a great sponsor in Colin Joss. Anybody who says they wouldn't use that advantage the same was as Albury is not being honest with themselves. You just have to forget about that and concentrate on what you can control.

BG: In 1998 you were appointed assistant coach under 'Timba'?

GH: I was assistant coach for eight years.

BG: You played in your second O&M grand final that season against Wodonga Raiders?

GH: I thought we had a premiership side in 1997 but we had about 10 players leave the club at the end of the season.

BG: Any particular reason for the huge turnover of players?

GH: 'Timba' was appointed coach and it was a tough time for the club financially with a lot smaller budget than previous years. We lost a lot of high-profile players and we thought 1998 was going to be a rebuilding phase for the club.

BG: So you were surprised to make the grand final in 1998?

GH: In my opinion to make the grand final with the list we had was an amazing achievement.

BG: Would it be fair to say 'Timba' could be brutally blunt with prospective recruits who asked for more money than what they were worth?

GH: That would be a fair statement. But we were looking to recruit the right people to the club and coming for the right reasons. Blokes that were chasing cash probably weren't going to be the right fit at the club anyway.

BG: You were no match for the Raiders in the grand final after going down by 10-goals?

GH: I remember Mark Sanson got sent off in the first-quarter which didn't help our cause.

BG: Sounds uncharacteristic by Sanson who is now Lavington president?

GH: I don't think I ever saw Mark doing anything violent during his football career. But he had a brain explosion in that first quarter and got sent off.

BG: Was it a costly mistake?

GH: We couldn't afford to be one man down against a great side like Raiders. I think from memory we were six goals to two down at the first break when we needed to be in front if we were going to cause an upset.

BG: Did 'Timba' give the bro a spray at quarter time?

GH: I think everyone knows he did and big 'Timba' wasn't a happy camper.

BG: Considering Lavington's dominance in the late 1990's did they underachieve by not winning a flag during that time?

GH: I think the two grand finals we lost, we were beaten by a better side. It's funny, I rated the 1997 side as our biggest chance of winning a flag and we certainly let an opportunity slip by not even making the grand final.

BG: Lavington's spine in 1997 was the same as the O&M interleague side?

GH: From the forwards to the backs it was Chris Stuhldreier, Tim Sanson, Gavin McMahon, myself and Paul McMaster.

BG: Lavington made a fatal mistake by trying to load up its attack in the second-semi final against Albury?

GH: I think the coaching staff tried to get a bit too cute with things and tried to expose Albury's defence by loading our attack with talent which then exposed our defence.

BG: Lavington paid a hefty price?

GH: I think we were 40-points down at quarter-time and then went back to our normal structures. We got beat by five points after having more scoring shots.

BG: What was the lesson?

GH: The biggest lesson was if it's not broken don't try and fix it.

BG: You then faced Wodonga Raiders in the preliminary final?

GH: We copped a bit of wet weather in the preliminary and were bundled out in straight sets.

BG: The late 1990s was a golden era for the O&M after it won four successive Country Championship titles?

GH: It was an awesome side to be part of. Brett Kirk went on to play AFL after playing a starring role. Blokes like Mick Wilson, Craig Freund and Robbie Walker were great players and great blokes off the field as well.

BG: There doesn't seem to be the same amount of passion for representative football these days?

GH: It was a genuine honour and achievement to play for the league during the era. I think it is a real shame that representative football isn't held in the same esteem these days.

BG: In 2001 Lavington defeated Myrtleford to win its first flag since 1986. How instrumental was Aaron Purcell to the success?

GH: Aaron was a vital cog and the role he played as a key forward and his ability to be that second ruck option gave us a lot of flexibility.

BG: There is a young Panther at the moment that reminds you of Purcell?

GH: I see a helluva lot of similarities between Aaron and Aidan Johnson. A real power forward that can play in the ruck but still gives you that mobility and aggression at ground level. It's a lethal mix for a footballer.

BG: Do you think Purcell should have played at a higher level?

GH: Definitely. No doubt Aaron had all the attributes to play at a higher level.

BG: Although Lavington won the grand final, you found the going tough against star Saint Dustyn McKenna?

GH: It wasn't my best day at the office. McKenna kicked seven on me, including five in the first-half.

BG: Being assistant coach, you were tempted to move yourself off McKenna?

GH: Don't worry, I ran the idea past Timba at half-time but he wasn't buying what I was selling and wanted me to stay on McKenna. We won the decider by 10 goals so I got over it fairly quickly.

BG: After the ultimate high in 2001 you suffer a low after doing your ACL in the pre-season of 2002?

GH: I took a mark and as I came down the surface gave way and I hyperextended my knee. I did the ACL and significant lateral damage. It was one with the lot really.

BG: You missed the whole season, did you have any long term effects?

GH: I'm sure it didn't affect my pace because I never had any. I was close to 30 by then so my best football was behind me anyway.

BG: You played as a key defender your entire career at Lavington. It's fair to say you were undersized most of the time against the opposition power forwards?

GH: My opponent usually did have a height and weight advantage over me. There were some big power forwards back in that era and it's fair to say I was a bit undersized.

BG: What tactics did you use to help combat your bigger opponent?

GH: I think my biggest asset was my ability to read the play and judge the drop of the ball and to get in the best position to mark or spoil, depending on the contest.

BG: Who did you rate as some of the best forwards in the competition?

GH: I played on some rippers over the journey. I probably respected Jon Henry the most and had some fantastic battles with him. I seemed to struggle a bit on Matt Fowler and he got hold of me a few more times than I would have liked.

BG: You also had the misfortune of playing on Robbie Walker in 1996?

GH: It was my first season in the O&M and I had the unenviable task of chasing Robbie Walker around for four quarters. I have never seen a player with a workrate like him and I blew up trying to match him.

BG: To borrow a cricket analogy did you ever have a star forward that was your 'bunny' and you always seemed to beat?

GH: I'm not going to take the bait on that loaded question and throw anyone under the bus.

BG: What's the biggest bag you have ever had kicked on you?

GH: In the 2001 grand final when McKenna got seven.

BG: Winning the 2005 grand final by one point after Darryn McKimmie kicked a goal after the siren must have been an incredible match to be part of?

GH: The atmosphere that day was amazing and one of the bigger O&M crowds I have seen. Both sides were evenly matched and history says there was only a point the difference between them in the end.

BG: Obviously matches like that are a game of inches. Do you feel there is a moment that mattered most?

GH: If you look at the replay of the dying minutes there is a phenomenal bit of play by Kade Stevens.

BG: What happened?

GH: 'Stevo' swooped on a loose ball in defence at full pace and scooped it up with one hand. He looked inboard, looked outboard and then used his left foot to find Todd Brown which resulted in McKimmie's shot on goal.

BG: 'Stevo' is a class act?

GH: If he fumbles the ball when he scooped it up with one hand I have little doubt we lose the grand final. It was that fine a line.

BG: It was also your final match for Lavington after notching 172 games?

GH: It was an amazing high to finish my O&M career on.

BG: Did winning the grand final influence your decision?

GH: No, I had made my mind up during the season and had committed to coaching Osborne the following season.

BG: You were assistant coach under 'Timba' for eight years. Did you ever tap him on the shoulder and ask for a crack at the top job?

GH: Probably for five years in-a-row but 'Timba' kept telling me to get stuffed.

BG: How many years did former Osborne president Gary O'Connell chase you before you committed to coaching the Tigers?

GH: Gary sowed the seeds for me to coach Osborne several years earlier and I was always keen to head out there once I was finished in the O&M. When Osborne comes knocking on your door, you would be foolish not to answer.

BG: What is the secret to Osborne's success?

GH: The secret is the whole community is involved and what the football club means to the community. Having no town or no pub has worked in the club's favour because the football club is the social outlet for the community.

BG: It must be a coaches dream to go to a club with so much local talent and that you don't have to go chasing recruits?

GH: Certainly in my time there, you didn't have to recruit much. You could identify one or two areas that were deficient and then specifically target recruits to fill those roles.

BG: You joined Osborne during a golden era for the powerhouse, playing in four successive grand finals from 2006-09?

GH: When you have got locals the calibre of the Clarkes, Goodens and Gleesons you have got the nucleus of a premiership side.

BG: You led Osborne to the ultimate success in your first season in charge after beating Howlong in the decider?

GH: We were probably a bit fortunate that year in that Howlong lost Adrian Rijnbeek with a knee and Rod Winner with a similar injury in the lead-up to finals. Rijnbeek was the premier forward in the competition at the time in my opinion.

BG: Osborne still had to produce a Houdini like performance to win the grand final?

GH: From memory we were six goals down at the last change and won by nine points.

BG: A streaker ran onto the ground during the final quarter who was associated with Howlong?

GH: Unfortunately it was a male streaker.

BG: Did it help turn the momentum in Osborne's favour?

GH: A bit of a talking point after the grand final was that it did. But in my opinion it had no bearing on the final result whatsoever.

BG: Did you make any changes at the last break to spark the stunning turnaround?

GH: Brett Powell was playing fullback on Shaun Myles. Mylesie's workrate as a full forward wasn't overly high so we put a fresh Powell into the ruck.

BG: Powell was able to dull the influence of Spider ruckman Steve Murphy?

GH: Murphy had rucked all day so when Powell went into the ruck he was able to provide us with an advantage at the stoppages. Once we kicked the first two goals of the quarter, you could feel the momentum swing.

BG: You concede Howlong's injuries cost them a flag?

GH: 100 per cent, Howlong had the best list that year by a fair margin.

BG: The following season you played in a losing grand final against Culcairn?

GH: Culcairn were clearly the standout side that season. They beat us four times throughout the year including by about 12 goals in the second semi-final. I thought we played extremely well in the grand final to get within 12-points.

BG: The following season in 2008 you came up against a red-hot Jindera in the decider?

GH: Jindera had a slow start to the season to finish outside the top-two. But nobody was surprised when they reeled off four consecutive wins in the finals to clinch the flag.

BG: Jindera boasted arguably the strongest list in Hume league history?

GH: It was in my opinion. You just have to look at some of the names including a young Joel Mackie to start with. Then there was Nick Holman, Mark Hilton, Robbie Murray and Ben Ryan. It was a star studded list.

BG: In 2009 you were able to get revenge on Jindera after winning the grand final by six goals?

GH: I rated the 2009 Osborne side the strongest during my time at the club.

BG: You took a pay cut that season to help lure star forward Brendan McKelvie to the club?

GH: I did. McKelvie was a gun forward and that was the same season Jamie Parr joined Osborne as well. Parr is a star of the competition and obviously an Azzi medallist. He is also a ripping servant of the club and has coached the juniors as well.

BG: You also recruited your former Lavington teammate that season in Kerry Bahr?

GH: He will hate me calling him old, but Kerry's old head and experience was invaluable for the kids coming through like Djali Bloom and Tom O'Connell.

BG: Similarly to Lavington, you were able to finish your career on the ultimate high and retired after the grand final?

GH: I was lucky enough to play in five successive grand finals in my last five years for three flags. I'll take that any day.

BG: Who do you rate the best players at Osborne during your coaching tenure?

GH: I can't split Adam Gooden and Hayden Gleeson. Adam was just pure power and simply a match-winner when fit and firing.

BG: You finished runner-up in best and fairests at Swans under-19s, Sydney University, Narrandera, Lavington and Osborne?

GH: I guess you could say I was a bridesmaid quite often but never the bride.

BG: Your career is littered with highlights but is there a standout?

GH: The 2005 grand final was an amazing match and to be on the coaching staff and end my O&M career on the ultimate high was a special moment.

BG: Any regrets?

GH: Maybe a boring response but not really.

BG: Since your retirement you have been heavily involved with Lavington. What are some of the roles you have performed?

GH: I have had a stint as a committee member, coach and coaching co-ordinator of the juniors. Presently I'm vice president and work closely with coach Simon Curtis and the coaching staff and running the match day bench.

BG: Signing Curtis as coach was a huge coup for the club. Did you have much involvement in his arrival at Lavington Oval?

GH: I was involved and made a few trips to Ainslie to watch Simon coach and go about his business without him knowing. We did our homework and it's certainly one of the better decisions our football department has made.

BG: Were you one of the masterminds in the coaches box behind plotting the downfall of Wangaratta in the 2019 decider?

GH: I would love to be able to claim that. But we provide the support mechanism and move the chess pieces around on game day. The game day strategy and the plans put in place, I can't claim those. They belong to the coach in Simon.

BG: Lavington did spring a big upset in the grand final. Can you give us an insight into some of the moves that paid dividends on the day?

GH: Basically we knew we had to spring a surprise because Wangaratta had beaten us three times already that season. I think someone once said Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

BG: That was the mantra of the grand final?

GH: It was. We did a lot of work in the past on where we thought we had advantages and where we could exploit Wangaratta. We soon realised we just couldn't crack there back six.

BG: You rated Wangaratta's defence highly?

GH: Nobody could penetrate Wangarratta's defence for several years, not just that season. It was a big, strong, mobile back-half that not only were superb defensively but could also really hurt you with their rebound and attack.

BG: You tried a few different tactics throughout the season?

GH: We did but everything we threw at them, they had an answer for.

BG: What was the plan on grand final day?

GH: Basically we couldn't let their defenders play the roles they wanted to play and let them have comfortable match-ups.

BG: You heavily rotated your forwards?

GH: That's right. At full-forward for instance we had someone as small as Shaun Mannagh to as big as Nick Meredith as well as rotating midfielders like Marty Brennan through there.

BG: Quick rotations were the key?

GH: We were flicking players through on three minute turnovers. Pretty much as soon as they swapped players to get the match-ups they wanted, we would rotate players again.

BG: Was it all over the ground?

GH: It wasn't just the forwards but also the wings and midfielders. A lot of players were in roles that they hadn't played previously.

BG: Even the unheralded players on Lavington's list were instrumental in the success of the plan?

GH: Wangaratta's half-back line was exceptional and an absolute weapon. So we had guys like Andrew Mackinlay, Macca Hallows, Clayton Marsh and Nick Holman who probably didn't appear on the stat sheets as big contributors. But they had their half-backs working overtime by being constantly on the move at speed.

BG: Do you think Lavington outcoached the opposition on the day?

GH: Outplayed definitely as Wangaratta had the superior list. We had to pull a rabbit out of the hat and we did it in the match that matters most.

BG: Lavington rolled the dice at selection by picking injury-prone defender Adam Butler?

GH: It was a calculated risk because Adam has proven over a long time that he prepares himself meticulously and better than anyone I've seen. It was a risk that paid dividends.

BG: Lavington now boasts state-of-the-art facilities. What is the jewel in the crown of the recent redevelopment?

GH: It's about the big picture. As a facility now and what it provides will be the events that it will be able to attract. High-profile sports like AFL and NRL practice matches, the Big Bash League or whatever it brings to town will be fantastic and huge for the profile of Albury.

BG: Do you think the facility will give Lavington a free kick in the recruiting stakes?

GH: I don't think it gives you a free kick but no doubt players will find it enticing and would love to be playing at Lavington Oval every second week of the season.

BG: It's a big occasion for the club on Sunday with the unfurling of the flag and the first home match with the new facilities?

GH: We hope to see as big a crowd as possible. We made a request to the O&M to get a stand alone on Sunday. I think it will be exciting for people to see the new facility but more importantly footy is back. People have missed their football and a lot of people have done it tough over the past 12 months. The other exciting thing is just how intriguing the competition will be this year.