Hahndorf Magpies - High Mark

Today it is a bird of a different type, with no feathers. Today we journeyed to the Hahndorf Oval to photograph the match between the Hahndorf Magpies (in black and white of course) and Lobethal Tigers. It was a high standard match with Hahndorf running out the winners by 36 points.

Founded in 1887 The Hahndorf Football Club is an Australian Rules Adelaide Hills Football team, located 20 minutes from Adelaide.

A member of the Hills Football League Hahndorf is neighboured by the townships of Mt. Barker, Littlehampton, Echunga, Nairne, Bridgewater and the Onkaparinga Valley. This is an extremely tough League. I had the "pleasure" of being smashed several times when playing on this oval, many years ago.

It was a nostalgic return to this ground. My family had a long connection with this team and in 1928 the team won the Premiership for the season. 4 had 4 family members associated with the team. My father was only 20, his brother Ray was 22, my uncle Wilf was also a star player in the team, and my Grandfather was the Delegate. They are all pictured in the 1928 Premiership Team Photo I have just added to my Misc. blipfolio.

I have 4 of these priceless (to me) Premiership photos of my father's team from the 1920s and 30s. He subsequently became team captain. During WWI the town's name was changed from Hahndorf, a German name, to Ambleside an English name. I am sure you can guess the reason why! It was subsequently changed back again.

Hahndorf is an historic town and a huge tourist mecca and the home to the best German and International food you can imagine. So of course we had a great meal before the match at the wonderful Haus Restaurant.

My aim today was to try to capture a high mark, meaning a high catch of the ball. We saw lots of good contested action and a game played in very good spirit.
Here is my catch, seen better in LARGE.

Our two Adelaide professional Aussie Rules football teams that play in the AFL (The Crows & Port Adelaide) also won today, so it was a great day all round for our state's football.