Finals Round 3 - SportingPulse

A LEADER BEYOND HIS YEARSJust ask close friend Hendrie.‘Rennie’s actually quite a gentle bloke,’ he said.‘He’s doing his study to become a teacher and got agreat head on his shoulders.’Gilchrist was a big reason why the Tigers advancedthrough to the Division 1 ‘Choose Tap’ First Semi-Final against Scoresby.The skipper led from the front in the midfield lastweekend, guiding his team to a 37-point victory overNoble Park.Donati says his skipper has been an outstandingleader and contributor all season.‘Finals games are when you win your reputation –and Rennie won his on Sunday,’ he said.‘Rennie was enormous in the last quarter and got usup and going with his voice.‘He just didn’t stop running all day and the taggersdidn’t worry him.’Going into last weekend’s match, the Bulls hadbeaten the Tigers on the past three occasions.But Gilchrist says his troops had really setthemselves for the big occasion and were able todeliver on the big stage.‘All our cards fell into place and we were able toexecute our game plan,’ he said.‘In those third and final quarters, we dug deep and itall just clicked.’Gilchrist is looking forward to playing againstScoresby and lining up on opposite skipper AdamParker.Parker is the second-youngest Division 1 captain atthe age of 24.‘I don’t know Adam very well personally, but Ialways have a good chat to him after a game,’Gilchrist said.‘He’s an absolute star and can singlehandedly win histeam a game.’Balwyn and Scoresby have met twice in 2012, withthe ledger sitting at 1-1 after both team’s securedvictories at their respective home grounds.Gilchrist says his team will go into Sunday’s matchat a neutral venue with confidence.‘One of our best mental strengths is the self-belief inour group,’ he said.‘If games are tight and we’re in a clutch situation, weknow we can stand up.‘Our performance against Noble Park will hold us ingood stead.’The only elephant in the room surrounding Gilchristis his unique first name.Rennie – how did he manage to score a name likethat?‘It was my Mum’s Grandfather’s name, given to himfrom his mother’s maiden name,’ he said.‘So it’s my great, great grandmother’s maiden name.’Surely no one else in the world would be calledRennie?Surely?‘Actually I once met a Canadian girl who has abrother called Rennie.’Well, you learn something new every day.And of course there have been plenty of jokes andcomparisons to his namesake Adam – arguably thegreatest wicketkeeper-batsman in cricket history.‘Plenty, especially when I was younger,’ he laughed.Ironically, Rennie opened the batting and keptwickets as a junior cricketer.However it is has never been the midfielder’s uniquename that has turned the heads of his teammates,supporters or opponents on the field.It has always been his skill with the footy, histenacity at the contest, his professionalism on thefield and his discipline off it.That is why people take note of Rennie Gilchrist –the youngest Division 1 captain in the EFL.One day, he might be the oldest.9 THE EASTERN FOOTBALLER 2012