By RUSSELL BENNETT
“CHESS with broken bones”.
That’s how 23-year-old Pakenham Silverbacks linebacker Tommy Trimble describes the sport of gridiron.
He’s broken fingers, both hands, badly damaged his AC joint, and torn his meniscus in his knee.
But he wouldn’t have the sport any other way.
Trimble was the one who introduced his sister Ash to Richie Howlett, with the pair going on to help form the Silverbacks and play key roles in its day-to-day running.
He admits doubting their ability to set up their own local Gridiron Victoria club.
“I made the mistake of not taking Rich and Ash seriously about what they could do in terms of building a club,” he said.
“They’ve set up a great club and I love every day that I’m a part of it.”
Trimble has also played with the Berwick Miners and South Eastern Predators in his five years in the sport so far.
But it’s at the Silverbacks where he’s found a true belonging.
The club has come off winning the Division 2 championship last season to maintain a so-far unbeaten start to their 2016 campaign. But they’ve still got plenty of detractors.
“We had the bare essentials to even be recognised by the rest of the league and a lot of other people thought we were a laughing stock last season,” Trimble said.
“To win the championship felt even better.”
Trimble is part of a Silverbacks group hell-bent on improving their games with every opportunity. Not only are they working towards going back-to-back in Division 2 this year, they’re aiming to make their way up into Division 1 and stay there for the long-haul.
And Trimble knows the Silverbacks couldn’t have a better coach leading them than Gridiron Victoria icon Mel Martin.
“Coach Mel is a great bloke,” he said.
“He’s a hard-arse but he’s fantastic for the team. He’s everything we need to take the next step in our development. We have the athletic ability, we just need the guidance.
“I think everyone has jumped on-board with him. We can be a pretty wild bunch, so having coach Mel around to keep us line definitely isn’t a bad thing.”
Trimble, whose bromance with Leed Wesolowski rivals that of Kevin Russell’s with Chevy Edwards, said this year’s Silverbacks side was full of game-changers, such as Trevor Marks, Adam Kolinski, Edwards, Richmond Stowers, offensive captain Aaron Verbakel and team captain Paul Ballinger.
He said the group’s biggest strength this season was arguably its athleticism, with star import quarterback Russell helping to lead the charge.
He said he was “easily” the best player he’d ever played with, and fitted in to the group perfectly.
“It’s not just us accepting Kevin, but he’s accepted us for what we are as well,” Trimble said.
“For him to come out here to play on paddocks in front of 50 or 60 people is very different from what he’s used to, but speaking to him personally he likes it here.
“I think all the boys carry a bit of a chip on their shoulder with the way we’ve been treated by certain corners of the league. It’s good to have that there because it keeps us going and makes us that much hungrier.
“Division 1 is obviously the goal, and to win back-to-back championships is too so we can prove to everyone we’re not a flash in the pan.”
The Silverbacks’ latest win came on Saturday night in their first ever night game at home.
They annihilated the Ballarat Falcons 64-3 under lights in a game that had plenty of feeling, with two Falcons players and one Silverback ejected.
But the Pakenham side was far too strong in every facet. Trimble shone at linebacker, as did Russell at quarterback, while Felix Brown’s running game, Dan Salvar’s tackling, and Jason Howlett efforts on both sides of the ball proved the biggest difference-makers.
Two of the biggest highlights from the game were a bone-jarring hit from Russell on an explosive run, and a brilliant interception and touchdown from Mitch Farrant in his first year of senior gridiron.
The Silverbacks will this Saturday take on the Northern Raiders from 6.30pm at DR Atkinson Reserve in Reservoir.
