Swans hero returns
Fiona Brady
14May08
Sydney Swan Paul Bevan (centre) tosses the coin at Picken Oval for Sydney Uni captain Joel Carr and Western Magpies captain Steve Hudson. GQH72534
SYDNEY Swans star Paul Bevan returned to his grassroots at Picken Oval last weekend to watch his former club, Western Suburbs Magpies, take on Sydney Uni.
Bevan, a former Wests junior, met players of both teams and held a juniors' coaching clinic.
His visit was part of the 150 Years of Australian Football celebrations. No AFL competition matches were scheduled over the weekend so more than 350 players could return to their original clubs to acknowledge the role community football has played in their careers. The Sydney Swans star received a warm welcome at his old club. Club president Dave Spence said everyone was very proud of Bevan's success.
"Paul was one of our local juniors and played for the club for four years so he feels very at home here," he said. "At half-time he went on to the ground and held a coaching clinic with the juniors."
Western Suburbs won the clash, 13.12 (90) to Sydney Uni's 12.8 (80).
