For almost two decades, Tom Waters has been recognised as one of the preeminent ruckmen across the Riddell and Bendigo football leagues.
This Saturday, Waters will retire after playing his 300th career game in the Lancefield versus Riddell match at Tigerland.
Waters reads the game to perfection. A giant leap, clever tap work and a justified reputation for fair play and sportsmanship are hallmarks. He’s also proved he can carry injuries and still perform.
Lancefield Football Netball Club rates the dual Bowen Medal winner as one of the Tigers’ all-time greats, even though his 100th game with the club was last Saturday at Wallan.
What will he miss about not playing football anymore?
“I’m going to miss it all … I just love playing footy,” he said.
Future plans?
“Since I was 14, footy has been a 12-months-a-year activity for me. My whole life has always worked around footy.
“I’m looking forward to not having to organise things around footy for once … to spend some more time with the kids will be great.
“They’ve missed out on a lot of time with me with all the hours I put into footy.
“One day I’ll probably get back into coaching but for now I’m looking forward to doing nothing,” he said.
Waters shot to fame when he became the second-youngest ever player to win the Bowen Medal, taking it out with 25 votes in 2008.
The youngest was Lancefield star Bern ‘Herb’ Shannon, who polled 19 votes to tie with Trentham’s Jack Hisco*ck in 1959.
Waters’ second Bowen came in 2010; his two premiership medals came at Lancefield in 2009 and at Macedon in 2017 after he had been an outstanding player with Gisborne for several years.
He returned to Lancefield in 2020 as captain-coach only to run into the first COVID interrupted season.
Enjoyable times as a junior player date back to the Bulleen Templestowe Bullants and the Oakleigh Chargers – he played two years of Under 18s in the TAC Cup.
Waters played his first senior game with Bulleen Templestowe and spent the whole match as a ruckman.
What about his first Bowen Medal? One thing he recalls is Trav Smith standing on a chair and yelling for him to go on stage as he culn’t lose with three rounds of counting to go.
In 2010 it was not a surprise, as he felt he had been dominant in a number of games; he won the Bowen, the goal umpires Player of the Year and the coachees Player of the Year awards.
Waters said the 2009 premiership was great, as the Tigers beat arch-rival Romsey who had Gary Moorcroft (ex-Essendon) in the lineup.
“It was a fairly hot day and we pegged back Romsey’s early lead bit by bit. I remember their ruckman was starting to cramp up in the third quarter and I just ran past and yelled “I’m just starting to warm up!”
“As a team we all played out part, and they imploded and stopped.”
The long-awaited Macedon premiership was a bit different, as he went to the Cats on a two-year deal and in the second season they were favourites.
“We knew what we had to do and went out and executed.
“When the siren went and the ball was in my hands and I threw it in the air to celebrate. I wish now I’d thrown it under my jumper and kept it.”
“It had been such a long time since they had won a flag and it was great to be part of breaking that drought.”
MAJOR INFLUENCES
Waters said his father was a big influence on his footy career, having played with Hawthorn Thirds.
“If I ever made the final cut of a rep team he would always say ‘That’s just one person’s opinion’.
“It was a good way to keep me grounded if I had made it or pick me up if I hadn’t.”
Kevin Fitzgerald (Lancefield coach) was another big influence after he won his first Bowen.
“Other teams were chasing me and telling me how good I was was, trying to get me to come and play for them.
“Fitzy turned me saying ‘Yeah, you had a good year. But if you stay here at Lancefield I can help make you better.’
“That was what made me stay. He wasn’t satisfied with how good you were. He wanted to make you better.”
Who was the best opponent he played against?
“I’ve been lucky to play against a lot of great players at interleague and Vic Country level, but even at local level I don’t think you could find anyone more respected than Luke Saunders at Gisborne.
“I’ve never seen someone attack the footy like he did. He was as tough as nails and when he spoke you wanted to run through a brick wall.”
“The most talented I ever played with though, was Matt Dick at Macedon. He flies under the radar but week in, week out, I saw him work harder than anyone.
“One second he’s running back with the flight to defend against a bigger opponent, the next he’s kicking goals from inside the centre square.”
Waters rates former AFL star Darryl White as the best he has played against, when he (Waters) played in Darwin for Nightcliff.
“He could jump like no other. He even played one game against me in runners because his feet hurt from the indigenous all-star game two days before.
“His smarts and knowledge of the game were also second to none.”
Well played, Tom Waters! LFNC anticipate a very large crowd is expected to turn up at Lancefield Park on Saturday to pay tribute and wish him well.
