GLASS ENTERTAINS CENTURIONS

GLASS ENTERTAINS CENTURIONS

BY PETER KENNEDY

West Coast Eagles captain Darren Glass was the star turn at another successful annual Centurions Fundraising Lunch at the club on Friday October 18.

Darren entertained the almost 150 guests with insights into the formative years of his illustrious football career, and some of the challenges facing the Eagles under new coach Adam Simpson next season.

Darren joined Perth from Northam in 1998 and played almost 50 games with the Demons before establishing himself as a regular player in the AFL.

Club CEO Marty Atkins, who interviewed Darren "on the couch", reminded him of one of the WAFL games between Perth and South Fremantle when Marty had a "purple patch" at full forward for the Bulldogs, opposed to Darren. The genial defender explained the experience as "one of those days" when everything seemed to go wrong.

Darren is lining up for another season with the Eagles to add to the 262 games he has already played. Demons supporters wish him well in his challenge to take the Eagles up the premiership ladder.

Many former players enjoyed the jousting between Darren and Marty. They included another defender, Stan Henderson, who played in the 1955 premiership side, and former captains in Pat Astone, Troy Cook and Wim Rosbender.  Colin Lofts, who led the 1976 and 77 premiership teams, introduced Darren and Marty.

Celebrated auctioneer Tiny Holly entertained with his distinctive style of enticing guests to make generous bids for the 11 auction items which included souvenir framed photographs of the champion 1966-67-68 league sides, and an Eagles jumper signed by Darren.

The Centurions Fund was started in 2002 by then president, Brian Lawrence, to build up a capital base to help put the club on a sound financial footing. The Centurions Walkway on the ground floor of the Fogarty-Jones Grandstand contains hundreds of gold plaques with the names of those who have donated $100 or more. Donations can be made through the club.

Mark the Centurions Lunch for 2014 down as a not to be missed event when you get a chance to mingle with Demons champions and also help to make the club financially more secure.