WHEN Connor Young made his senior debut for North Launceston last week against Hobart City with older brother Lochlan in the team, the two brothers were continuing the Young family tradition in the red and black.
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Connor, 17, joined Lochlan, 20, in the seniors following in the family tradition set by their father Tony (Ossie) Young junior and grandfather and club legend Tony (Chang) Young senior.
“I was pretty privileged to get a senior debut and I was a bit nervous going into the game,” Connor said.
“But I got a touch early and the nerves went away and I was happy with the way it went and I went out there and did my little bit.
Lochlan has played about 40 senior games for the Bombers and said he loved it when his brother joined him in the side.
“It got me up for the game – it was a bit different with our first senior game together and it was a good way to run out,” he said.
Chang, 77, has been involved at North since 1954 as a player and reserves and seniors coach.
He said it was a great honour to see two more of his grandsons line up for North.
“All of my four sons have played for North and in the seniors and played in premierships and my grandsons have followed suit,” he said.
“I have been blessed and it’s another thing for the club with brothers playing in the seniors together of which we’ve had quite a few and that’s great for the club.
“I took over the senior coaching job when Peter Daniels left and they couldn’t get anyone else.
“I coached the reserves for about 18 or 19 years which I loved doing and we won about 13 premierships and won one in the seniors.
“ We should’ve won two but we weren’t quite good enough against Launceston in 1985.
“My mother was the first lady life member of North and my dad was a life member back in the 30s, my brother-in-law, all my sons and my late wife so continuing the family tradition.”
Tony junior, better known as Ossie, played more than 200 senior games with the red and black in the 1970-80s.
“My brothers Shane, Ricky and Brett all played with North too,” he said.
“It is good to see Connor and Lochlan continuing the tradition and Brett’s boy Callan has played with us but is away in England at the moment.
“My boys have earnt their spots – they don’t listen to me too much so I just sit back but Zane (Littlejohn) has been a good coach and I don’t interfere.”
Ossie continues to be involved with the club as list manager and welfare officer.
“I am pretty proud of all the boys.
“We put a five-year plan into place about six years ago and we have won the two premierships and it has been really good,” he said.
“My brothers Ricky and Brett are still involved with the Northonians and Brett is on the board this year as treasurer.
“Our other brother Shane in Victoria is president of Old Brighton Football Club where he coached and won a premiership.”