Football
1 October, 2024
Gawith bleeds blue, black and white
Minyip Murtoa's key forward, Oscar Gawith, bleeds blue and white and is excited about his future and the club's.
The talented teenager played for the Greater Western Victoria Rebels the last two years and had a chance to play AFL football this year, but he turned it down and didn't nominate for the draft in 2023 to stay with his farming roots and grassroots club.
Gawith played most of his juniors as a midfield/forward. In his first full season in the seniors in 2024, he played down back and up forward before ending it late in the year with a knee injury.
As a versatile, tall player who can play both ends, he will give the Burras a lot over the coming years, and he looks forward to what the future holds.
"I was excited to get back to the club and get a full season in the seniors, but doing the knee late in the season wasn't great for me. I enjoyed playing back here at home this season and was happy with my season," Gawith said.
"After losing a few backmen to injuries, I went down there and played well, and it's good that I can play either end of the ground.
"I love playing up forward, but I am happy to play wherever the coach puts me as that's how footy goes, and you have a role you have to play for the club, and I will play where needed."
Gawith does a lot of work off the field at the club, helping out where needed, and he said it's important to give back to the club.
"When you grow up and spend your whole life at the club, you look to give back to the club, as that is the right thing to do," Gawith said.
"I run water for the under-17s, and it's important to help out the juniors as they look up to the senior boys, so you need to lead by example and be a role model at the club, and that's what I try to be.
"I also help our Thursday night in the kitchen, doing the dishes, cleaning the changerooms, and the footy boys help too as we need to make the club look respectable, and it's not right for the cooks to have to do that."
Gawith said turning down the chance to play AFL was the right decision, and whilst he hasn't shut the door off completely, he is happy to be where he is.
"Growing up on the farm, my heart was always here, and I couldn't bring myself to leave," Gawith said.
"I could have gone and done something else, and who knows, I might try it one day, but for now, I am happy doing what I am doing right now.
"The farm is where I wanted to be, and I love playing back here. Even when playing for the Rebels, I always circled the dates on the calendar when I could play here.
"I love the club, and I love where it's going, and I want to be part of it."