Love was a factor behind Rhys Chillingworth's decision to join the Tamworth Swans this season. Her name is Madison Sharp.
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Chillingworth ruminated before uncoupling himself from the Thunderbolts, after a six-year Waratah League tenure, to join the Swans as an AFL novice.
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It was a judicious decision. For not only has he become an integral member of a Swans side who are odds-on to make the grand final, but the Swans women, whom Sharp plays for, have already booked a grand final berth.
Put simply, it has been a wonderful, feelgood year for a club whose travails are well documented. And Chillingworth and Sharp are in the midst of a significant shared experience that he says is "pretty special".
"Definitely," he replied when asked if the experience had strengthened their relationship, which began last year.
"You're having that extra time with one another," he said.
"Having a lot of my friends playing in the men's team," he continued, "and my girlfriend playing in the women's team, too, it's just been a good community."
You're having that extra time with one another.
- Rhys Chillingworth
Chillingworth had made up his mind to play AFL before the basketball season was cancelled because of COVID.
Still, leaving the Thunderbolts was "pretty tough", he said.
Chillingworth has been the Swans' starting ruckman this season, but is coming off a four-week injury layoff after hurting his shoulder against the Bulldogs in round six.
"I definitely didn't expect to be put into that role straight away. But everyone encouraged me and said I was good enough to do it, so I took it with both hands and worked hard at it."
The Swans are expected to beat the Roos at No 1 Oval on Saturday and play Gunnedah in the grand final at Wolseley Oval the following weekend.
"Overall, she's been a really good experience," Chillingworth said of this season. "Everyone's really upbeat, and there's a really positive mood within the club."
The Chillingworth name is synonymous with sport in Tamworth. Chillingworth said that before his grandfather, Les, passed away "he mentioned how proud he was of all his grandchildren". "And I think he was alluding to our sporting achievements."
The 24-year-old carpenter said he did not "truly grasp the importance" of his surname, "but people always tend to say it [the surname]. So you think, "Jeez, it must mean something."'
