St Kilda Football Club president Rod Butterss and Scorpions captain Steve Harrison celebrate a glamorous night out at the Brighton International last Saturday evening.By Cam Scott
THEY may be sitting one game out of the finals but the Scorpions VFL side celebrated like premiers last Saturday night.
The club held its annual gala ball and auction at the swish Brighton International, and the big names were in tow.
Headlining the night as keynote speaker was St Kilda Football Club president Rod Butterss, who emphasised the importance of maintaining and strengthening the link between his AFL side and its VFL affiliate the Scorpions.
Butterss heaped praise on the history and success of the Scorpions, saying that any organisation that has existed for more than a century and had the success of the Scorpions has to be admired. Many of the senior Saints stars who have spent considerable time with the Scorpions, including Leigh Montagna, Stephen Milne, Barry Brooks and Jason Gram, were in attendance on the night, and were listening intently when Butterss took the microphone.
Also in attendance were past Scorpions stars, including the effervescent Michael Jeffs, who coined the term “Never write off the Scorpions” and enigmatic fullforward Shayne Smith still the last man to have kicked 100 goals in a VFL season after his stellar 1997 year.
The Scorpions’ reserves side also had good reason to celebrate, after a narrow win over the Northern Bullants in a rare night match at Moorabbin last Friday.
The Scorpions won by three points after a mark and goal from David Spithill in the last minute reclaimed the lead to give the side its second win for the year.
This week the Scorpions take on the Box Hill Hawks on Sunday at Box Hill and must win to keep their finals’ chances alive.
