Neville Fields’ playing career spanned 200 games through three decades with Essendon and South Melbourne – and yet the experiences gleaned along the way mattered little at the MCG on Friday night, when son Tom completed his senior debut for Carlton.
For the 63 year-old former centreman – an Essendon best and fairest and Victorian rep - watching on from the stands was one of the more traumatic experiences.
“It’s a hundred times harder watching than playing,” Neville said of the experience in the Carlton rooms following the Richmond match.
“It’s hard to explain, but you’re sitting there just hoping and hoping and hoping . . . and look it was a tough day, but life’s full of learning and I think he (Tom) will get a lot out of that game.
“It’s such a big difference between playing what he’s been playing and the step up to the seniors, but hopefully he can earn the trust of the selectors and keep going - and once he gets used to the tempo I think we might have a footballer here.”
Carlton's 1995 premiership player Mil Hanna presents Tom Fields with his guernsey on debut. (Photo: Carlton Football Club)
It’s 46 years now since Neville first ran out for Essendon in 1969 (co-incidentally in the 15th Round as was the case for Tom at the weekend). Swiftly forging a handsome reputation as a fleet-of-foot, prodigious-kicking on-baller, Neville was later involved in the trade which saw South Melbourne’s Terry Daniher released to Windy Hill – only to return to the place to round out his playing career in ’82.
On Friday night Neville was there for his son having made the flight from the Gold Coast where he is these days domiciled. In the rooms afterwards he renewed acquaintance with John Murphy (father of Marc) with whom he had played at South through 1978 and ’79, and posed for this photograph with his boy.
Neville Fields and Tom Fields in the rooms after Tom's debut. (Photo: Carlton Football Club)
For Fields Jr., it meant a lot for the old man to be there watching on.
“Dad was on the first flight over. He couldn’t have been more proud, which was great,” Tom said.
“He’s been a great help. He’s never been too pushy or tried to step in, but whenever I’ve needed advice whether with footy or pursuits outside football he’s always been there.”
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