RICKY O'Toole must be Victoria's unluckiest footy player.
After six bitter grand final losses, the midfielder was sidelined when his Geelong suburban team finally won a flag on Saturday.
Better than nothing: Newcomb footballer Ricky O'Toole joins his mates in celebrating Saturday's Bellarine Football League Grand Final. Picture: Mike Keating
Even a plea to the Supreme Court over a striking charge failed to deliver the chance to share Newcomb Power's magic moment.
"They may as well have given me 15 weeks because I missed the grand final," he said.
But there was some consolation for O'Toole.
As player-coach, he was able to guide his team to victory from the bench.
"I'm disappointed I didn't play, but I'm still stoked I've got a premiership medallion."
O'Toole, 29, started playing football at age five and has never been in a premiership team.
Not even the Cats' stunning drive for an AFL flag was enough to lift his spirits.
"I'm probably putting on a brave face. That's fate and that's life. I've sort of got to move on now," he said.
O'Toole, a prison officer, was suspended for three weeks after being charged for striking Ocean Grove's Andrew Van Noordenburg.
As luck would have it, Newcomb beat Ocean Grove by eight goals in the weekend Bellarine league grand final. O'Toole is the only player to be named best and fairest in each of Geelong's three suburban leagues.
He asked the Supreme Court to overrule the local tribunal's decision to suspend him.
"I didn't know the incident they were referring to," O'Toole said.
"We didn't think it'd go to the tribunal because the evidence was so weak."
The court rejected the bid and O'Toole was forced to watch from the sidelines.
"I would have loved to be out there," he said.
"By the same token, I had a pretty large part in the guys winning yesterday, obviously making moves and stuff. It was just really good that the boys won."
Football Geelong CEO Steven O'Dowd said it was unfortunate O'Toole was rubbed out.
"Ricky being a playing coach added to the drama," he said.
"I've got full confidence in our tribunal members and the way they conduct themselves."
Newcomb president Derek Costello said the club was optimistic O'Toole would one day play in a premiership team.
"Ricky has won all those medals for being the best and fairest," Mr Costello said.
"There will be plenty of chances for him to prove himself in the future."
Article first appeared: 10 September 2007 Herald Sun
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O'Toole winner, but benched
O'Toole winner, but benched