SWFL reserves 2022: Carey Park’s Blake Helgeland and Donnybrook’s Daniel McGlashen sportsmanship goes viral

An inspiring act of sportsmanship captured on camera between a pair of South West Football League reserves players has gone viral. Carey Park’s Blake Helgeland had badly hurt his ankle during the fourth quarter of his side’s clash with Donnybrook on Saturday and needed to be helped from the ground. But with play stopped, the Panthers’ training staff were unable to carry the ressies footballer off the field. That is when his Donnybrook opponent Daniel McGlashen stepped up and carried him off the ground, with the subsequent image being uploaded to the league’s social media and later going viral. McGlashen said he was just trying to do the right thing. “I saw the trainers struggling to carry him off . . . There were three of them carrying him and I went along to help out and just to do the right thing, and I ended up carrying him on my own,” McGlashen to GWN7 News. The photos were posted to the SWFL’s Facebook and within hours were shared across the internet — with the post receiving almost 2000 likes, more than 250 comments and 167 shares. The post was shared by former West Coast Eagle and Channel 7 presenter Adrian Barich and Adelaide-based comedian Brad Hollis. Helgeland said it was more attention than he was used to getting on the field as a reserves player. “I was getting tagged into it 24/7, it was just brutal,” Helgeland told GWN7 News. “One of my mates from Melbourne called me up as well and said it is everywhere over there as well. “I am starting to see the funny side, but I am still embarrassed, still scared to get out of the house… but it is a good look, (and) good sportsmanship.” McGlashen said while the players were all out there to compete, it was good to show the lighter side of the sport. “It is a bit of banter and sportsmanship between teams,” he said. “We are all playing the same sport, out there having a bit of fun, keeping fit and enjoying the game. “That is what it is all about.”