September | 2013 |

Hawthorn and Fremantle face off at the MCG for the 2013 AFL Grand Final at 2.30pm tomorrow afternoon.

As a family-run business, our favourite story surrounds the Hill brothers on opposite teams, tousling for the ultimate reward tomorrow.

Joe and James McKern, sons of Michael, spent many years kicking the footy around at the family home imagining they were on the MCG on Grand Final day and tomorrow, Stephen and Bradley Hill are set to become the first pair of brothers to play against each other in an AFL/VFL Grand Final since 1912.

Alan (Essendon) and Vic (South Melbourne) Belcher lined up over 100 years ago to see the eldest brother, Alan, would win a trophy he would never forget.

If history were to repeat, Stephen – the elder Hill brother – who has now played 107 matches for the Dockers, would end tomorrow the winner.

He says, “mum’s really proud and happy and really looking forward to this week.

“She’ll be supporting both of us.”

The game will be the first time Fremantle has appeared on that one day in September since the club’s inception in 1995, while Hawthorn have won 10 out of their 16 grand final berths, the most recent of which ended in a 10-point loss to Sydney Swans last year.

Fremantle’s relentless pressure and defensive workrate has been its trademark in season 2013, while the Hawks’ plethora of forward options, coupled with an experienced back six, give it strength at either end of the ground.

Along with the Hill brothers making history, there are plenty of other feel-good stories that surround tomorrow’s contest.

Hawthorn fullback Brian Lake, after being traded from a Western Bulldogs team that lost three consecutive preliminary finals between 2008-10, has finally made it to his first Grand Final.

Hawks ruckman Max Bailey’s career looked over after battling recurring knee injuries, but he will line up on Saturday alongside Jonathan Simpkin, who in his first year as a Hawk has the chance to win two grand finals in two weeks, after being best afield in Box HIll’s VFL flag last weekend.

Freo’s inspirational skipper Matthew Pavlich would be one of the most deserving recipients of a premiership medallion if the Dockers are to get up, as a win in Pavlich’s 291st game would leave him only trailing Shane Crawford and Paul Williams as the players who had to wait longest for their first taste of premiership glory.

The six-time All-Australian and six-time club best and fairest winner will make his debut on the game’s biggest stage tomorrow, but says the side’s preparation has been “perfect”.

Likewise, backman Luke McPharlin, who was traded with Trent Croad from the Hawks to the Dockers, and has flourished into one of the competition’s premier defenders.

There will be individual battles throughout the day including Crowley on Mitchell, Bailey and Sandilands in the ruck, McPharlin on Franklin, but grand final day is a battle of more than just individuals.

It is a battle of the collective, when nothing less than a true team performance will do, and a battle of will, knowing that making that next contest or tackle could play a part in achieving a boyhood dream.

McKern Steel MD Michael McKern says the Hawks will win by 21, and will be barracking for Grant Birchall (Hawthorn) to win the Norm Smith medal.

See the rest of the McKern Steel team’s tips below:

Emma McKern (GM – Admin) Hawks by 10.
Sarah Foley (Admin) Hawks by 18.
Amy Green (Admin) Freo by 5.
Michelle Wilson (Admin) Hawks by 45.
Karrine Parker (Sub-contractor Co-ordinator) Hawks by 8.
Phill Cursons (Structural Detailer) Freo by 14.
Nathan Rogers (Structural Detailer) Freo by 23.
Michael Coombs (Structural Detailer) Freo by 3 and Essendon to host the after-party!!!

By Melyssa Dunlop and Joel Peterson, September 27, 2013

McKern Steel’s new logo celebrates 37 years in business as they continue to pioneer regional steel manufacturing in Australia. The entire McKern brand – including the foundation logo – now has a new look that Michael McKern says represents the same core values but also a modern vision.

“There’s been a renewed sense of purpose at McKern Steel. We want our logo and website — the heart of our brand — to reflect the innovative business that we are. We’re the same old company that Bendigo knows, with new ideas for the future.”

– Michael McKern, Managing Director

The name and values of the well-established family business remain strong, as Joe, Emma and Samantha Butcher (McKern) all work to shape their dad’s company for the future. McKern Steel Managing Director, Michael McKern, was named the 2010 Greater Bendigo Citizen of the Year in recognition of his contribution to community programs. Michael’s community support has been so large that the McKern Foundation was created, offering regular grants to regional applicants who needed financial support.