Our Bio on the FitX Website. Tom Hafey It’s 5.20am and the most unretired man in football is up and about to throw himself into the Spartan regime he has imposed on himself - and hundreds of footballers - since before the Korean War. Starting with a run, like an old fighter, swinging the knotted arms close and high as if cocking a punch, pounding the pavement on ankles and knees that should have worn out by normal standards. Read More After the run, he does 10 minutes of stretching, then 200 push-ups, double what fit young men might do, not bad, considering one of Tom Hafeys shoulders is hurting and the wind is icy. Then he plunges into the freezing water for a swim, rubs himself down and trots across the road to the bayside apartment he shares with Maureen, the pretty girl he married in 1955. By then, you would think, hed be due for a hot shower, a hot breakfast and a lie-down. Instead, he does 700 crunches and sit-ups. After an hour of brutal exercise he treats himself to oatmeal, fruit and a cup of tea. But no biscuits or cakes. He gave those up 37 years ago, to give his daughters an example of will power. Everyone knows Tommy, and many love him. Few veterans of the VFL era are as instantly recognised as the little man with the body of a weightlifter and a head like an old fighters. His dawn workout is like a fight-movie scene where passers-by greet the old champ and he greets them back, tough but lovable. The St Kilda joggers and cyclists call out Gday Tommy and he says Gday mate. This is Hurricane Carter stuff - the time-killing, body-building routines lifers do in prison cells. Hurricane Hafey does it just because he believes in it. Ask him how he is and he says Good - and getting better, a line his old players mimic affectionately. Tom Hafey turns 80 this winter. He has just starred in a Jeep TV commercial, playing a super-fit 70-year-old who runs up steep hills in a tight T-shirt. He looks 60. And did it easily. He will go anywhere to spread the word. The work ethic that led him to speak at local schools when he was coaching Geelong in 1983 has grown into a regular roster of motivational talks - and training sessions - at everything from schools and country football clubs to bowls clubs and old peoples homes. And jails. Hafey also does a sideline in footy memorabilia packed in the new Jeep (supplied by a grateful sponsor). On the beach one summer he urged a tall ocean swimmer to do push-ups, to add one push-up a week until it matched his age. Ted Baillieu, now Premier, has been doing it ever since. Tommy is a picture perfect role model who has transferred his passion for sport into the business and education arenas where he continues to inspire many business people and school students alike with his motivational talks. From premiership coach at Richmond to premiership coach on Neighbours, Tommy continues to command attention and respect for his no nonsense approach to life, his superb physical fitness and thoughtful insights into the modern game of AFL football. Of course, even legends have their secrets. Francis Bourke mentioned that he has heard a shocking rumour about Hafey... “Lately, hes been taking an afternoon nap.” “10 Words: If it is to be, it is up to me” - Tom Hafey youtube/watch?v=eGOaRReTg74
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 10:07:52 +0000
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