BIO

Rod Hamann kicked two goals from the forward pocket in the opening game of the 1980 season under new coach Neil Balme – then, unlike fellow Norwood league debutants that day, Steve Hoffmann, Geoff McMillan and Frank Stemper, found himself banished to the reserves the following week.

Why? “Not good enough I suppose,” he mused some three decades later, though in reality injury and work were the key factors that ended his time at Norwood.  South Adelaide won that game by 44 points, 13.16 to 6.14.  Rod added three games to his reserves tally before turning his ankle and moving to NSW to concentrate on his career in the pork industry.  He played some football with Turvey Park in Wagga Wagga and worked for 18 years in Europe and the USA.  Back in Adelaide, semi-retired, he was a director of Big River Pork (Australia) Pty Ltd. in 2022.

Rod was born to Keith and June Hamann on 12 June 1959 and grew up at Rostrevor.  He was educated at Campbelltown High School and Roseworthy College.  He played in the Norwood under 17s in 1975-76 alongside future league men Keith Thomas and David Serotski.  As acting captain in 1976 he shone at centre half-back and was runner-up to Greg Edwards for club best and fairest in the under 17s.

Rod was studying overseas at the start of the 1977 season and on his return played seven games with the under 19s.  He played for Roseworthy College in 1978, his first year there.  He graduated in 1981 with a Dip App Sc (Ag) and the Gold Medal.  Meanwhile, he had added 25 reserves games to his Norwood tally in 1979 to 1980.

Rod’s father Keith was a notable mathematics teacher and author of textbooks.  He was an active member of the Mathematics Association of SA for more than 60 years.

P Robins, G Adams May 2022