HAWKS coach Matt Flinn delivered a heartfelt message about the impact a horrendous bushfire season has had on his family in the lead-up to Saturday's clash with Melbourne United.
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The 18th installment of major sponsor SLAM's #TheFoundationClub posted on social media on Sunday revealed the personal stake Flinn's family has in the battle being fought on the South Coast and Southern Highlands.
"Currently as we sit I've got three immediate family members [in danger]," Flinn told his players.
"My father-in-law is in a place called Penrose which is surrounded by fire. My brother lives at Sussex Inlet and my mum and dad are at Dolphin Point. It's all surrounded.
"The most immediate one is at Penrose, he's 75, he's surrounded, it's two k's down a dirt road just to get to his house. He's in a little fibro shack and refuses to leave.
"What it brings me to is the volunteer firefighters who are sacrificing their lives right now to save my wife's dad. This no joke, by the time we get out of this game tonight, we're going to get some news one way or another.
"It's a miracle if it survives it's that bad. It puts it all in perspective, the privilege of what we get to do, we get to run out here and just play a basketball game."
The Hawks ultimately went down to Melbourne United but fans combined with the club and the Illawarra Mercury to raise $40,000 for the Salvation Army's Bushfire Disaster Appeal.
Hawks star LaMelo has also pledged a month of his salary to fire relief efforts.
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
