RECORD FEATURE: LEETON WHITTON CROWS

When Brian Lake’s name was mentioned as a possible top-up player for Essendon this season, it wasn’t ideal for Leeton-Whitton. The Crows had been working for some time to bring the three-time premiership player to town and had already set aside May 7 as the date.
But Lake declined the Essendon offer, ensuring the Norm Smith Medallist and dual All Australian wouldn’t be robbed of his opportunity in the Riverina League…
“That’s right, he didn’t want to miss the chance to play down out at the sportsground!” Crows president Mick Fraser quipped.
Lake was looking forward to the game at Leeton when he spoke to The Record.
“We’ve got the function afterwards so everyone can come down there, have a chat and a couple of quiet beers,” Lake said. “But it’s Mothers’ Day the next day so we all better be behaved.”
One of the great characters of the AFL in recent years, Lake’s final game finished with him driving his kids around in the Gatorade buggy after last year’s grand final. And his farewell appearances for Hawthorn – at a retirement press conference and the club best-and-fairest night – were memorable for his hilarious speeches.
Jokes aside, he is serious about footy and he’s aware the region is too, having played with Matt Suckling, Luke Breust and Isaac Smith at Hawthorn.
“I know a bit about the Riverina – I know obviously Jacob Townsend’s from the Leeton Crows and the Riverina has produced some really good footballers,” Lake said.
“And it really is GWS territory at the moment, isn’t it?”
Hawthorn’s thrashing at the hands of GWS last week begs the question whether the Hawks let Lake go too soon, or the 34-year old’s timing – retiring after a third straight flag – is impeccable. 
Whatever the case, the AFL’s loss is Leeton’s gain.
“It’s only last year he was playing in a grand final so he’s the sort of bloke you want to listen to and learn from,” Fraser said.
Told the town was buzzing in the build-up to his arrival, Lake was genuine when he said he was excited about the trip.
“I know how passionate country people are about football and I guess the quality of the people that have come out of there – it’s a very good league and I want to experience playing in the country before I do eventually finish playing football.”
Lake made his name as a backman at Hawthorn but played his junior football in the forward line – where is again playing with his local club, Caroline Springs, in Melbourne’s western region league.
The 251-game veteran made it clear in the build-up that he didn’t want Crows coach Jade Hodge changing the team’s game plan just to suit his one-off appearance, and he’s willing to play wherever he’s needed.
Hodge is actually a Cats fan but, as the odd one out in a family of Hawthorn supporters, he’s always had a bit of a soft spot for the Hawks. More importantly, as a rookie coach, he’s just happy to have an opportunity to pick up tips and advice from one of the best.
That’s something Lake is keen to help with.
“Hopefully I can teach the guys around me and the coach about different things at different times of the game and how the teams are trying to play and what-not,” he said.
“How I learn has always been in that practical situation in games so if I can teach these guys something then that’s definitely a positive.”
Spare a thought for the Griffith Swans, who had to overcome Adam Schneider at Coolamon last week before coming up against Lake and Leeton-Whitton. But the former Western Bulldogs best-and-fairest said he hopes that even for the opposition it can be worthwhile.
“I experienced it at VFL level – I had Tony Lockett come back and play for Port Melbourne when I was at the Werribee Tigers.  As soon as I knew he was going to play, I put my hand up and spoke to the coach, Chris Bond, and said I wanted to have the job so I could learn and gain some experience then on one of the best full-forwards of all time. Even though he wasn’t at the peak of his career, still, he’s a great player and he’s got an understanding of where to run and what to do as a forward.
“If I was a young kid (playing on an ex-AFL player), I’d be using it as experience – working out running patterns, what he does with his bodywork or how he leads – as a really big learning curve.”
Lake was one of the players to come out of the so-called ‘super draft’ of 2001 which included Luke Hodge, Gary Ablett, Steve Johnson, Dane Swan, Sam Mitchell , Jimmy Bartel and Schneider, too, among others.
It doesn’t seem all that long ago to Lake but as he reflects on the game, time’s passed quickly.
“Footy’s changed so much even in the last couple of years… on the run-and-carry, and the skills and stuff,” Lake said.
“I think the biggest thing is the fitness . You see the guys coming into the AFL system and they’ve already got big tanks and they can run… it just helps them so much when they do get in the AFL system that they can compete and do what they need to for the team by getting to the contest, defensively having the energy to apply pressure and offensively to create and still run.
“You’ve got to be skilful as well, so practicing as much as you can, left and right hand; left foot, right foot. But also building your tank. I think they’re the two most important things in AFL.”
The Crows will make a weekend of Lake’s visit, with juniors and Auskick clinics on the Friday night, the function on the Saturday night, and big day of junior and senior football against the Swans in between.
Fraser said the star’s visit comes with the club in good shape.
“Our reserves, we’ve been getting really good numbers, which is a difference to the last few years. Dan Sullivan is coaching them this year and he’s got a few fellas back who hadn’t been playing. And our 17s are really good at the moment, we’ve got some good bottom-aged kids coming through.”
The seniors have had a patchier start than they expected. With new signings Luke Potter and Josh Grant joining the side as well, Hodge said it’s just a matter of getting the team to gel. But he’s enjoying the challenge.
“I knew I’d enjoy it but I didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I am,” Hodge said.
“I’m glad I’ve come back across to do it. And I’ve got a really good young group which makes it even better. They listen and they try to impress.”
As a first-year coach, he’s been able to draw on the experience of the senior players based in Canberra, including Toby Conroy and Neil Irwin. He said there’s a long way to go, but right now, he couldn’t be happier than he is in Leeton.
“I’m really loving it here and the boys (Josh and Luke) from all reports have fitted in. The town’s made them feel really welcome. That’s why it’s great to come here, I love it.”
No doubt Brian Lake will too.