By Lance Jenkinson
Kirk Heberle embodied what made Point Cook great in its first season in the Western Region Football League division 2.
Instead of focusing on his own superb game-sealing snap goal that got the crowd to its feet and secured a seven-point win over Yarraville Seddon in a grand final upset at Avalon Airport Oval on Sunday, the full forward deflected questions about that inspirational goal and went on to praise the teamwork that lifted the Bulldogs to the premiership.
It was Heberle’s last act in his football career as he announced his retirement after the game.
“It’s not about individual stuff for me,” he said. “I’m just happy to go out a winner and you couldn’t ask for anything more.
“We put a bit of breathing space [with that goal], so it was just keep doing all the one per centers that we did all day and if we did that, we’d get the result and we got it in the end.
“It was hard work across the board from all of us for the full four quarters.”
Heberle was quick to praise Point Cook coach Ian Denny.
Denny has created that team-first approach at the kennel.
“He’s a fantastic mentor,” Heberle said.
“He puts the club first 100 per cent of the time and it’s never about him.
“He’s an inspiration to all the players.
“Across the board, we just love and respect him.
“He’s a great man and we can’t do it without him.”
