One organiser, David Koch, said they thought about 50 to 60 former players might attend. He said organisers thought if there was enough interest shown they would promote the event to increase numbers for next year.

Koch said he thought the numbers could reach 200, and the interest from former players still living in town was enormous.

“I haven’t spoken to one former player who lives in town who isn’t coming,” Koch said.

“There’s blokes who played with the Swans in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, as well as young guys who played juniors last year and are now away studying at university who will be there.”

With so much interest being generated, the Inverell RSM Club was concerned it could not comfortably cater for post-match festivities in their Diggers restaurant. 

Instead, it has offered a buffet meal upstairs at the club for the Old Boys and their partners.

Koch said although the game against the Moree Boars at Varley Oval will be a clash of traditional rivals and a real cracker, the Hawks would not have all the crowd support on the day. A Boar bus full of Moree former players was due to arrive for the day.

“Moree always have a good following, and we appreciate them making the extra effort to get here for tomorrow. There will be a lot of old matches played over and over, I reckon,” Koch said.

Koch said he wanted to stress the day was for any former player.

“It doesn’t matter if you played 10 games or 100 games, A grade, Reserve grade or Juniors. It is an open invitation to any player who has played for the club,” he said.

Tomorrow’s two points are critical for both teams, but the Old Boys Best and Fairest medal will be an extra incentive for the Hawks players. It will be presented during the match day presentations at the RSM Club after the game. 

“In years to come, whoever wins it will be able to show it to his grandkids and tell them that he was the first player ever to win the medal,” Koch said.