SIGNED, SEALED DELIVERED: Brett Finch (left) and Steve Morgan (right) with Lee Mackenzie (centre) who had the winning bid for the signed and framed 2012 premiership Storm jersey at the Morgan Brothers Ball on Saturday. Photo: MICHELLE COOK 0302mcmorgan2
STEVE Morgan said he was overwhelmed by the show of support at the Morgan Brothers Ball on Saturday night.
Around 400 people attended the event at the Orange Function Centre to help raise money for the families of Steve and Trent Morgan.
The brothers were involved in a car crash in November last year that claimed Trent’s life and left Steve hospitalised with serious injuries.
“I feel uncomfortable coming here knowing that tonight’s about myself and Trent,” Steve said.
“We never asked for any of this. It just goes to show how kind Orange is. Football can be a tough sport out there but you look at the guys here tonight, it’s amazing.”
The rugby league community, in particular, was out in force showing its support for Steve and Trent who have played with a number of clubs across the region including Orange Hawks, Orange CYMS, Molong, Manildra, Cabonne United, Orange Barbarians and Cargo.
Trent spent two seasons with the Canberra Raiders’ reserve grade side in 1998 and 1999 where he linked up with players like Brett Finch and Todd Payten who went on to become National Rugby League stars.
Steve said it was great to see Finch and Payten attend the event.
“Trent played with these guys and it just goes to show what footy is,” he said.
“These blokes have kept in contact with him. He hasn’t been down there for 10 or 12 years but these guys still know who he is. For them to come back and support all this is amazing.”
Steve added he would never be able to put into words the gratitude he had for those who helped make the function what it was.
“I will never be able to repay all these people for what they’ve done but I’ll never forget it. It blows me away,” he said.
“We never asked for anything when we played footy or did anything in life but to get this sort of support is overwhelming.”
Finch had to miss a Melbourne Storm training session to go to the function but the decision was a no-brainer.
“That’s nothing compared to this,” Finch said.
“All us guys the last time we played together was in 1999-2000 [at Canberra] That’s 13 years ago. That’s what he [Trent] meant to us. It’s great to be a part of it with all the rest of his friends and family.”
Finch said the night allowed those who had played with Trent at Canberra the opportunity to share more stories about the man they held in such high regard.
“It’s sad it’s happened but to be able to honour him in this way is great,” Finch explained.
“It’s a great atmosphere and that’s the type of bloke he was. He was such a fun-loving guy. His personality was just contagious. He was a great bloke to be around.
“We’ve told a million stories. We’ve been telling the same stories for the last 15 years and they always get funnier every time we tell them.”
Payten, who now coaches the Wests Tigers under 20s side, said it was wonderful to see so many people helping the Morgans.
“I’m not really surprised by the turnout, Payten said.
“I’m from a small town town myself and I understand the community aspect of it. It’s good to see everyone lends a hand and shows support to both families.”