The Camden Haven Bombers welcomed another member into the 100 club at the weekend with Brice Hayward marking the milestone.
Fittingly, the determined under-18 star brought up his 100th game in first grade after starting out with the club as an under-12 in 2008.
In that first year Brice kicked six goals and played a mere five games with Andrew Bagnall as his first coach.
Amazingly, one of those games was a grand final and a premiership medallion came his way after catching the eyes of the AFL club playing for his beloved St Joeys Primary School after the urgings of “Mrs G” (Jo Gallagher) paid off.
She may also be the culprit when it comes to Brice’s ongoing fascination and passion for the Geelong Cats who have won premierships as Brice’s love for the game grew.
A talented soccer player, Brice took to AFL naturally but it has been off the field where he has had just as big an impact.
Brice has been a helper at nearly every club function, he’s even helped host presentation nights on the microphone and his efforts coaching juniors at training that shows what a great clubman he is.
By 2009 Brice had found his feet on the field and won the under-14s Best & Fairest and he also cracked the representative scene.
He polled 60 votes that year in one of the most lopsided vote counts in club history to beat runner up Owen Geard by 24 votes.
In the 2009 yearbook he was showing his passion for AFL even moreso, when asked what he’d do if he won Lotto, he answered: “Buy a boat – or footy cards”.
In 2010 and under the guidance of coach Scott Moulds, Brice made a preliminary final with the Bombers.
However 2011 was the year he started to show real senior potential as he passed 50 games and struck up a real combination with his mate Luke O’Neill.
In 2012, the club ventured into the Under 18s competition with AFLNC and Brice was a key figure on and off the field recruiting players, building team spirit and starting to become a freakish goalkicker.
He won the “Most Committed” that year and was a top five finisher in the best and fairest.
Last year as the club continued its climb, so did Brice often backing up after Under 18s to play Reserve grade in a premiership and landmark year for the club.
He’s done the same again this year as his games records accelerated through the roof with 18s, reserves and first grade experience now under his belt.
“The Camden Haven Bombers is a better club for people like Brice Hayward,” 18s coach Gordon Wiegold said.
“Brice is always throwing suggestions into the mix, helping out his teammates and he has shown real courage to take on the might of Sawtell and Port when he is physically outweighed by fully grown men.
“He has been a real helper when others may have just turned up to play – Brice is thinking about the game and the club 24/7 and his 100 game milestone has come quicker than most because of his willingness to back up and assist in times when we are short.”
He will be a part of the club’s push through August for an 18s and reserve grade title.
President Todd Clarke summed it up best when he said: “If we had a club full of Brice Haywards then AFL would be the number one game in the Camden Haven.”
Last Modified on 31/07/2014 17:00