Three in three for Madi

Stewart Kemperman (left), Bryce Rutherford (middle) and Madi Andrews (right) hold the cup aloft after back-to-back premierships. 185297 Picture: ROB CAREW

By Nick Creely

Building a winning culture is no easy task in football.

There can be many obstacles that can get in the way of success, but to work through the challenges and achieve premiership glory is a testament to every single person associated within a football club.

With beer in hand in the heaving Edwin Flack change rooms only moments after securing his third premiership in four years, Berwick skipper Madi Andrews reflected on what has been a challenging, yet rewarding season.

“Obviously a lot of hard work went into it (the season), and a lot of things went wrong this year, even outside the footy, we had a few hiccups and stuff,” he said.

“It’s a big reward – to do it with dudes you grew up with, I think that’s the key, it makes it all better.

“Doing it with guys I played junior footy with, friends from around the area, it makes it all the sweeter.”

Andrews – who also won his third league best and fairest earlier that week – said that team success is the only thing that matters to him as a footballer, and admitted that the season was at times challenging on a person front.

“I say to a lot of people, the only reason I play footy is to win premierships,” he said.

“I don’t like a lot of things about footy, I don’t really enjoy watching footy, and the only reason I do it is because I want to have fun, play with my mates and win flags.

“This is the only reason I’m doing all of this.

“I had a few hiccups this year, a couple of shoulder injuries and that – everyone goes through injuries, I understand that, but I also had a lot of things outside footy going on, so I’m pretty proud.

“I’m just happy to get success.”

While 2018 was all about building and trying to meet the lofty expectations of the 2017 glory, Andrews said that it’s all part of a new chapter being written in the club’s history.

“Last year was one of a kind, it was never going to happen again,” he said.

“This year, our motto was that we ‘wanted the same result but with a different story’, and to be honest, that’s kind of how it all played out.”

The champion midfielder praised the Wickers culture for achieving back-to-back glory – just the second time in the club’s history – and said that he feels tremendous pride to be leading his side along with co-captain and superstar Bryce Rutherford.

“There was a certain age group where we had a lot of parents and players stick together and get through, and everyone wanted the same thing, and that’s success,” he said.

“We’re a good family club, and I reckon it is the key to bringing a winning culture to our footy club.

“We’re getting good footy players to the club, and they just don’t leave – we’ve got a good group of core guys, but when someone does come, they enjoy it so much that they don’t want to leave.

“I think that’s what makes a good footy club.”

While Andrews stamped himself as a modern day great after achieving a third Norm Walker Medal in premiership years – an extraordinary achievement in itself – he praised best afield Travis Tuck for his enormous impact on the club in such a short space of time.

“He’s a legend, and a cult hero around our footy club,” he said.

“He’s got plenty of respect from everyone involved within our club, and he’s got a lot of talent.

“He breaks through stoppages, and his polish is just that good – we’re lucky to have him.”