By Sarah Beagley
Jack Gialamatzis – 100 games
“When I first joined the CYs in 2015, I remember Jackie G was the first person at my first training session to come and say Hi. That is just the kind of bloke he is. He encapsulates the spirit of the CYs every time he takes to the field. He not only plays with his heart on his sleeve, but he brings everyone up around him. Being captained by him in 2016 made me understand just how good of a leader he was. Captaining him now has been a privilege and I am continually learning from him. I can’t wait to run out with him on the weekend to celebrate such a special bloke.” – Louis Hogarth, teammate
It’s been a golden CYs career for backline bandit Jacky G, who will celebrate his 100th game for the club this weekend.
Jack has played 9 seasons at the CYs, featuring in the Seniors, Reserves and now Thirds sides. He has been coached by, and played alongside, a string of CYs legends – including championship coaches Monty and Wyndy, and teammates James Neylon, Anthony Oates, Michael Machete, Tim Ball and Nick Blackney.
Joking that his move across to the CYs was merely because he “couldn’t get a game at my other club, not even in the Ressies”, we can all safely say we’re very glad Jacky G made the switch. “I knew a few of the guys down here and wanted to have a bit more fun with my footy. I heard the environment was pretty fun and loose.”
It definitely wasn’t a fun start to Jack’s CYs journey, however, losing his first game in the Ressies to Ormond by about 10 goals, despite his team pumping Ormond by just as much in the practice match a few weeks earlier.
The more fun years came afterwards though, with Jack going on to co-captain the Reserves’ premiership in 2016, and play in the Seniors’ premiership in 2019. He also won the Reserves best and fairest in 2018.
The most memorable game for Jack was the 2016 preliminary final against Caulfield Grammar, where a kick after the siren saw his Ressies make it into the grand final, which they went on to win.
As he is being interviewed mid-rub down prior to his Wednesday night training with the Thirds, all of us hanging in the rooms thoroughly enjoyed hearing Jacky G’s career-long pre-game superstition routine: “It’s just my entire Saturday, everything I do has to be exactly the same, at the same time. Like, I have a shower at the same time. Go to the toilet at the same time. Eat the same breakfast and listen to the same music. Stretch the same way. The whole thing”. But hey, if that’s what it takes to get a few premierships under the belt, Seagals take notes.
Jack is looking forward to this season with a strong Thirds cohort, whose season is already off to an absolute blinder; “We’re looking good, sitting on top of the ladder I think. The premiership is what we want the most but we’ll see how we go, we’re looking good at the moment”.
A massive CYs congratulations to Jack on his 100 game milestone with the club, and we can’t wait to watch you the Thirds continue their winning streak against Monash Blues this Saturday – 11:40am at Lofts Reserve.
Ethan Hunt – 100 games
“I’ve had the great pleasure of playing alongside Ethan throughout Juniors, school footy, and now with the Reserves side. Ethan has never failed to play his role and some. Whether it’s shutting down their best small forward or on the wing where he can utilize his elite running, Ethan has always done so. Off the field, nothing changes, Ethan’s the type of bloke you can always rely on, especially once Mad Monday rolls around. Congratulations on the 100th, many more games and coach’s awards to come!!” – Olly Hill, teammate
This Saturday, reliable backman Ethan Hunt will run out with his Reserves crew for the 100th time in blue and gold.
This year marks Ethan’s 8th season at the CYs, where he has played most of his footy in the 19s under coach KB and alongside mates Mason Lindner, Nathan Malkoun and Jack Van Wyngarden.
Ethan started out playing for the CYs in the under 19s, where he was the runner-up best and fairest in his first season. He was an inaugural part of the 19s growth as they continued to be promoted up divisions in the VAFA, a feat he credits to his legendary coaches KB and Meatballs; “they are a big part of why I enjoyed playing and the success we had in moving up and up”.
Of the 99 he has played, Ethan’s most memorable CYs match was a home final against Carey in the 2018 season; “We were neck to neck and there was about 200 people in the gallery. We ended up winning by a goal and everyone streamed onto the field, it was unreal”.
From the 19s, Ethan moved into the Reserves where he was a part of their successful 2019 season. This year, Ethan has been elected into the leadership group and he is looking forward to leading the group as they continue to grow together; “In the Ressies we’ve had a high turnover of players during Covid years and I think we are really starting to gel. Hopefully we will just continue to get better this season”.
So, what’s kept Ethan loyal to the CYs for 100 games? “CYs has a pretty unique culture, most people have played through Willy juniors into seniors together and it’s so great to play with those mates you’ve known a long time. The club is just full of quality people. And we also don’t lose on a function night.”
On behalf of the CYs family, we’re wishing Ethan the best of luck this weekend in his 100th game and sending a massive congratulations on reaching this milestone!
You can watch Ethan and his Ressies run out against De La Selle this Saturday, 11.40am at the Fearon Reserve.