Hawthorn players Rick Ladson and Taylor Duryea recently visited Odyssey House to assist in a training session with their football team, the Odyssey Blues.

The session was timely for the Blues, having won only one out of eight games in the Reclink competition this season.

Ladson and Duryea not only assisted with training, but also conducted a compelling question-and-answer session, explaining the sacrifices they had to make for football, as well as the setbacks they have been faced with over the years.

The players were given a rare opportunity to see inside the facilities of Odyssey House when taken on a tour after training.

It gave the Hawks players an insight to Odyssey’s rehabilitation programs and a chance to chat to residents about their own personal stories.

Odyssey House and Hawthorn Football Club have embarked on a partnership to generate greater awareness of drug and alcohol problems within the community and hope to encourage people to ‘kick the habit’.

The visit by Ladson and Duryea was the first step in the lead-up to activities for Odyssey House surrounding the Round 20 match against Melbourne.


Support Hawthorn, support Odyssey. You can help.

As a valued supporter of the Hawks, we think that you’re also a supporter of the great causes that the Club is involved in. Here’s your chance to play your part and make a difference.

The Club is searching for volunteers to help ‘rattle a tin’ on the concourse before the Round 20 match against Melbourne on Sunday 15 August.

Volunteers would be involved from 12.30pm - 2.10pm shaking tins to raise funds for Odyssey House.

If you'd like to help, please email community@hawthornfc.com.au to register your interest.


Rick Ladson shares some tips with the Odyssey players.


Odyssey House CEO Stefan Gruenert takes Hawks players on a behind the scenes tour of the facility.