MATT Priddis sought him out.
Michael Hussey, decorated Australian cricketer, had just given a talk to the West Coast Eagles.
Priddis, who would go on to win a Brownlow Medal, wanted to make the connection as Hussey had gone to the same school as him – Prendiville Catholic College in Ocean Reef.
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It was just one of the stories – Hussey would go on to be a mentor to the midfielder – to emerge last night when their former school named two ovals after them.
The pair, who brought their families along, were humbled by the honour, bestowed at the college’s Prendi Summer Fest.
“There were a couple of special moments during the evening, including principal Mark Antulov calling up Mike’s mum and the boys’ wives for applause for International Women’s Day for all their work in raising and supporting Matt and Mike,” a school spokeswoman said.
“The legends got their own caricatures of themselves on their newly-named ovals, and Matt caught up with his favourite teacher from school days.
“The P&F, led by mums Yvonne, Denny and Fi, did a spectacular job putting on the fest which included show rides and water slides, food trucks, human-sized foosball and hungry hippo, a Year 9 DJ, silent discos and hundreds of picnic-goers.
“It was a magical evening for the whole community.”
