http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/new-saint-was-named-to-be-heaven-sent/2007/11/25/1195975870809.html?page=2
Quote:
A masterly farewell
MATTHEW Lappin ensured he bowed out of football in style yesterday when he defeated another retiree, Fremantle's Justin Longmuir, to win the third annual Australian Masters footballer's challenge at Huntingdale. And there was no hiding how much it meant to him, with Lappin leaving former Carlton teammates Bret Thornton, Andrew Carrazzo and Luke Blackwell in stitches with his joy at the result. Lappin and Longmuir teed off at 7am, an hour before the pros went out for their final round, and won the matchplay event seven and six on the 12th hole. "We were both pretty nervous through the first four holes, so the scoring wasn't great, then from four to 11 I shot one-over and got a bit of a break on him," said Lappin, a Kingston Heath member who, like Longmuir, plays off 11. "You'd usually call it quits then, but we asked if we could play on because it was such an honour to walk up the last fairway, with all the gallery — not that there was anyone there, but all the stands were in place, anyway." Lappin was presented with a replica of the Masters gold jacket, which he said was cut to fit a ruckman. "It's probably an XL and I need a medium. I'll wear it into the club during the week, make sure all the boys see it, then I'll probably whack it through the dryer." That is if he isn't otherwise engaged; Lappin's wife Kandy will be induced with their second child (and Lappin's third) on Wednesday if bub doesn't arrive before then.