SWFL 2022: Mid-season passion provides another spark for dual Hayward medallist Simon Moore

It doesn’t get any more Margaret River than how decorated dual Hayward medallist Simon Moore elected to spend his mid-season break.

Halfway during the 2022 campaign — one which finished with Moore becoming the first player since Richie Lee in 1986 to win consecutive Hayward medals — the humble onballer decided to get away from it all and fly to Indonesia.

While football and his physiotherapy work are important, Moore’s passion for surfing is equally important to him.

“One thing I have definitely learnt is finding different avenues to blow off some steam,” he said. “Appreciating other things in life are super-important.

“I believe not only surfing, but being around the ocean has been one of those things for me over the years.

“Having the opportunity to step away from work and footy? It was great to be able to go surf for two weeks straight, just hang out and socialise with people outside of footy circles.

“Being able to switch off was really nice. Then when you come back, you are really refreshed and ready to go again. I think that if I keep playing footy, I will probably have to keep doing that trip.”

Moore’s journey on the day of his second Hayward Medal triumph was equally significant.

After finishing a shift up in WA’s north last Friday, the midfielder jumped on a plane and was met at Perth airport by Hawks coach Matt Jamieson.

“Every week I either fly up north or drive out of town for work,” Moore said.

“On this occasion, I had to change my flight from Port Hedland, because it was cutting it a bit close to get back in time.

“But I sort of wanted to do it (travel back early) for the second semifinal anyway, so I did not have any problems with flight delays or cancellations — because that would have ended up being a nightmare.

“However, the timing of the Hayward Medal night on the same night worked out quite well.

“Jamo and I then drove there together and had a good catch-up. More so about the game the next day, which was great to go through.”

Heading into the season, Moore had no personal expectations of securing a stack of individual honours, but he did aim to improve on one key ingredient to success.

“There were a few nerves going into the count this year I reckon,” Moore said.

“The first year was more of a surprise, in terms of seeing how I went and how the umpires viewed me as a player. I think this year was more about making sure I was putting in good performances to prove there were no flukes in my game.

“I just tried to be as consistent as I could and was stoked with the outcome, Although I try to just go about my business, in this instance I was super-proud at being able to back up the award from last year.”