Four of our DP World Port Botany wharfie workmates went into battle on Wednesday night and all four won in a great result for the home team.
Mariell Santos, Taylor and Tim Deland-Cleveland and Cameron Dymock all got the chocolates on a fun night when fists were flying for a good cause.
Grant Chappell and myself had the privilege of calling the action as it happened during the MUA live streamed charity boxing event at the Juniors Kingsford.
Stevedores from across Australia and New Zealand took time out from their day jobs to put the gloves on for the 7th War on the Wharves and test themselves in the ring with a total of $15k was raised for Souths Cares in the process.
We called every bout and interviewed special guests but the fact that our mates all tasted victory just put the cherry on top of an extra special night.
We spoke to Union officials from around the globe as well as local MPs Michael Daley and Marjorie O’Neill. Rabbitohs star Cody Walker joined us for a chat before Alisha Parker-Elrez filled us in on some of the amazing work Souths Cares does in the community.
Former Rabbitoh Matt Nable was another high profile guest on the microphone before War on the Wharves founding fathers Kane Hay and Jules Parry called most of the main event with me while Chaps gave his failing voice a rest.
Plenty of our mates sent us positive feedback via text during our call and adding to the international flavour of the night were messages of support that came in from as far away as Fiji and Vietnam!
My man Stevie Driscoll sent through a pic with Wes Naiqama and a message (see below) for his ‘little sister’ Mariell and MUA member Nathan Donato captured an image of his group watching our call from a beautiful venue in Vietnam. Love your work boys.
“A big Bula Vinaka from Stevie Driscoll and Wes Naiqama from the Kaiviti Silktails Rugby League Club in Fiji !!!”
“Big congratulations to my little sister Mariell Santos on her victory tonight. Extremely proud of her on her performance.”
“Special shout out to the host my Tagane from Botany Steve ‘Mavo’ Mavin!!!”
“Lots of lolomas (love) to Angelo Dymock, Sean Windon, Laingy and all the fighters that trained at Daceyville PCYC!!!”
“Vinaka boys!!!”
Stevie
We’d like to thank the Maritime Union and Angelo Dymock for giving us the opportunity to get involved and we’d also like to thank all the volunteers and boxers who gave their time and put on a tremendous show.
By Steve Mavin
Add comment