Arguably the best footballer to pull on the Blue and White jumper over the past decade is set to run out for his 150th game on Sunday when the Mines Rovers Football Club take on Kambalda at Digger Daws Oval. Captain Robert Hansen has served the club on and off the field over that period in outstanding fashion since crossing mid-season from Boulders in 1994 where he played 34 league games for the Tigers.

After playing in one of the most controversial Grand Finals in 1994 when the Diorites went down to the Tigers in a game which still gets my blood up, Robert ventured to Subiaco for seasons 95,96 and 97 and put together 38 league appearances for the Lions. On his return to the Goldfields after the 97 season, I spoke with the then football manager of Subiaco Jeff Lind, who was disappointed that Robert was not staying at Subiaco as he had established himself in the League side and looked as though he would build a successful league career with them so much so that in the years to come when speaking to Jeff he would always ask, how is the Rolls Royce going?

On Roberts’s arrival back to the Goldfields for the 98 season we had a bit of a battle on our hands to regain his services at the Diorites as a few other clubs were throwing everything including the kitchen sink at him to get his signature, however myself and the then Vice Pres Pedro put in the hard yards and convinced the Diorites would be the right fit for him – thank goodness he agreed and signed for the club.

From 1998 onwards Robert has been outstanding representing the Mines Rovers Football Club and the GFL with great distinction and along with the four premierships he has won the Osmetti Medal (Mines F&B) on four occasions 98, 2001, 02 and 06, the Mitchell Medal (GFL F&B) twice 98 and 2002 and has also won the Fyson Medal representing the GFL on three occasions. To cap it of he has also won the Dick Robinson Medal as the GFL’s leading goal kicker with 58 in 2002.

With every champion footballer there is someone in the background that has been the rock and with Robert I’m sure he would agree it has been his wife Jodie who has been through all the ups and downs through his wonderful career which thankfully, I think, the ups are well ahead of the downs.

In closing I would like to congratulate Robert on his 150th this Sunday and say that besides being a leader of our great club he has also been fantastic mentor to so many of our aboriginal players over the last ten years – well done and cap it off with a win.

Jim McIntosh of www.minesrovers.com

Auskick Media Release

   Macgregor Kennedy Cup  

The Annual Macgregor Kennedy cup will be played against traditional rivals Boulder and Mines on July 27 at Digger Daws Oval.  The cup was introduced in 2006 with the Tigers taking the coveted trophy for the first time only to lose it to Mines the following year.

The cup was named after two stalwarts from each club, Brian (Bulla) Macgregor a former coach and Life Member of the Boulder City Football Club and also a premiership player for the Diorites and the Kennedy family, a well known and respected family with strong links to Mines.  Seven of the Kennedy boys played for the Diorites over the years and the family still retains strong links to the club.  Pat Kennedy is a former president and his son Gavin is vice President this year.