“Surreal” was how Nyah District skipper Ben Shadbolt described the feeling of being a premiership captain of the club his family have been invested in since day one. Shadbolt’s grandfather Geoff played in the very first Nyah District A Grade side in 1976-77, while his father Lyndon is a five-time A Grade premiership player with the club.
Ben, who played in his third A Grade premiership for the Demons at the weekend, could barely hide his excitement when talking with The Guardian in the wash-up of Saturday’s victory.
“For me, it’s a dream come true, it honestly is,” Ben said.
“I love this club and my family loves this club – it’s given me some of the greatest memories of my life and I’m just so happy that I’ve been able to give a little bit back to some amazing people today.”
The Nyah District first XI had a distinct family feel about it, with the Shadbolts not the only family to enjoy the spoils of victory together – with brothers Dean and Owen Harrop also playing in their first A Grade premiership together. Not to be outdone, the Boulton brothers, Oliver and Charlie, started their journey of following in the footsteps of their father and club legend Ritchie by playing in their first A Grade title – while father and son combination Ash and Max Thompson (Max was 12th man) completed the Demons family connection.
