We would especially like to thank David Le Monnier, or Max as he is affectionately known throughout the club, who is doing the honour of tossing the commemorative Life Member coin for last weekends match against Mt Barker Football Club.
Max the son of Roy and Lorina and brother of Anne, John, Barbara and Mel. Max grew up in Leslie Creek Road Mylor and went to school at Heathfield primary and high schools.
Roy was Max’s greatest supporter, to be honest Roy only saw one person on the field and he rode every bump, cheered for every mark or goal.
The connection you feel when you meet Max is evident in his lifelong friendships with Dennis Bishop, Dave Brine and brothers Dennis and Barry Earl. Together they were teammates in Mt Lofty Football Clubs first ever premiership of any grade in 1980.
After talking with the Earl brothers yesterday, they shared their memory of what that game meant to them, to their friendship and to their passion for this great club. In 1981, the Mt Lofty Under 16 team had lost their first 4 games by an average of 15+ goals. Max had been out injured and came back against undefeated Payneham. In that game, Max kicked 10 goals, the team won and they went on to win the premiership against Payneham. Mt Lofty’s first since 1978. The brothers say; that game against Payneham changed their lives and more than half the team went through to playing A grade at Mount Lofty.
Max played his first A grade match at the ripe age of 17 and the following year he was ceremoniously presented with number 13 guernsey from retiring 360 A grade games great; Herman de Roos.
Having played in the 1986 and 1990 A grade premierships with the club, notched up 240 senior games, coached junior teams for ten years, junior umpiring and a Vice Presidency, meant that not only was Max part of such a great community, it became part of him. So many hours spent playing, being involved and going above and beyond for mateship, there was a connection and a way of life that we can only envy in this fast paced time in which we now find ourselves living.
Max is well respected throughout the club and if you ever get a chance to buy him a beer, you will definitely be rewarded with regaling a tale or three of the good ol days! Good onya Maxi.
On behalf of everybody at Mt Lofty, we thank you sincerely for all you have done for the Mt Lofty District Football Club.
