Gabe Hamilton “Will not be able to be replaced” says teammates

Opposition clubs around William Buck Premier can breathe a sigh of relief with the announcement from Old Trinity that Gabe Hamilton will be hanging up the boots. 

This will leave coaches with one less headache to think about when they face off against the T’s this season.

Since 2012, Hamilton has been a regular in the Trinity line-up, playing 122 senior games.

Despite starting out in juniors at another club, he had his heart set on the green and gold from the moment he walked through the doors.

“I played a bit of my junior football at Fitzroy, but it was always going to be Trinity with my mates and I loved my time there so I couldn’t be any happier with my decision to play there” said Hamilton on the VAFA podcast, For the Love of the Game.

He was a member of the 2015 Grand Final side that went down to St Bernard’s by 8 points at Ikon Park, and holds that day inside his top 5 VAFA moments that he was a part of.

“Although we did lose, I look back on those (2015 and 2016 Grand Final), really fondly and have great memories of that.” said Hamilton.

In 2019, he was the recipient of the Old Trinity coaches award under former coach Bernie Dineen. 

“He was great, he’s such a footy fanatic, he’s such a deep thinker of the game and definitely helped my progression” continued Hamilton as he reflected on the award, and the influence Bernie had on him.

Earlier this week, T’s ruckman Harry Thompson spoke to VAFA.com.au about the way Gabe went about preparing himself each weekend.

“He truly led by example on the field with a force and ferocity that is rarely seen.”

Away from Old Trinity, Gabe is a proud member of the 2015 and 2019 VAFA Big V representative sides, the competition’s highest honour. There’s always been light and shade when it comes to Hamilton.

“Of all the players I have ever played with or against Gabe has been the only one I was scared of at training and I wouldn’t be the only bloke” Thompson recalled when asked about Gabe’s demeanour once he crosses the white line both at training, and on gameday.

“That (intensity and ferocity) was matched by an enthusiasm and care for everyone who walked through the door at Old Trinity.” he continued.

Despite the cancellation of the 2020 VAFA season, and abandonment of the 2021 season, Hamilton will leave the club with the title of co-captain next to his name.

As part of Gabe’s interview, he nominated Ben Howell, as one of top 3 teammates to play alongside “we also had fun” he said. Ben joins Gabe in retirement as of this week after 169 senior games, a Big V representation in 2015 and the vice-captain of Trinity (2018-2020).

Both significant on-field losses for the T’s on the eve of the season, leaving new coach Jamie Cassidy-McNamara on the lookout for someone to step into a new-look T’s midfield.

Old Trinity open up the 2022 VAFA season against Old Brighton at Brighton Beach Oval at 2pm on Saturday, April 2.