Original subtitles

BRAD MALIFA: Melbourne is an AFL town,

so our league players can enjoy life away from the spotlight.

If Plum has CTE, he needs to be addressing it.

One of those seizures could kill him just like that.

DOCTOR: Are you taking the medication

I prescribed you, Peter?

Well, I would get that filled

because it's a progressive disease

and it is 100% coming for you, Plum.

He never said thanks.

20 years of that shit.

The punishment.

DANA: So, you'd rather destroy a legend

than have anything out there about CTE?

Plum belted a guy because he was pissed.

CHARMAYNE: You're not my priority, you know?

This baby is. Well, it's my baby, too.

Is it?

I can't believe... You fucked someone else?

You fucked Mum in Melbourne.

COMMENTATOR: That is the stuff that heroes are made of.

Absolutely, genuine hero.

A sporting national treasure.

Cometh the hour, cometh the man!

Peter "The Plum" Lum!

(CROWD SCREAM AND CHEER) (SHAZAM! BY SPIDERBAIT PLAYS)

You never should've ran

That can take you down again

You say you're just fine

That can make you smile again

It won't take long, yeah

When you hear that sound again

You're looking kind of thin

So you can impress everybody

We fucking did it!

(INSECTS BUZZ)

(MOOING)

(MOOING)

(ROCK MUSIC PLAYS)

Oi, Dan! Up! Let's go.

Plum!

Jeez, I haven't seen you in a while, mate.

I think the last time I saw you was in Maroochydore

on the slot with those Redcliffe boys.

When was that? Yeah, don't know.

Well, bli!

Mate, are you alright?

Yeah. Really?

With all this shit swirling around, I know it's got to be hard

so I feel for you, but...

..if you want, right, I'll give you the opportunity

to set the record straight, then we can do that.

Easy. Yeah?

Easy. OK.

Alright, yep.

So, I'm here with, uh, Peter Lum

Now, Pete...

..Plum, everyone's seen the footage.

And did that bloke do anything to incite you?

Did he do anything to get under your skin?

Because from the reaction and from the footage,

it looks like you've had a real go at him,

that you've belted him.

Oh, I just gave him a love tap.

A love tap. So, OK, look, you call it a love tap,

but you're a former first-grade player...

(SOUND DISTORTS)

..so was that reaction due to the pressure that you're feeling?

Because, quite honestly, there's this...

All good.

..quite negative public opinion about you at the moment.

And a lot of the things being said are quite brutal and heinous.

Is that...is that what's happened here?

All goo... All good, Dave-o.

All good, yeah.

All good.

Get that? Mm-hm.

Ta-da! There you go.

And extra fluffy towel.

Thanks, Oliver.

And for, um, letting me crash here.

Yeah.

Yeah, no worries.

Do you need me to write you up a script for anything?

No.

Renee said you've had insomnia since you gave up the piss.

You know, you'll enjoy this.

Sometimes, when I'm having sex with Renee,

I think of you.

Not in a sexual way.

Um, just because, you know, you're my wife's previous lover

and you think, like, "Well, it's Peter Lum, was...

"He's an athlete and how physical am I...?"

Sometimes I just wonder, "How did she discover

"that she even likes that particular thing."

And I'm going to have to get... Where's Gavin?

Did you leave him at the house with all those journalists?

Plum, where is he?

(SIGHS)

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

I enjoy these man-to-mans we have sometimes.

Anyway, if there's anything you need, man.

No worries, man. Thanks heaps.

I'll be OK from here.

OK.

Jeez, man.

Oh, there they are. Oh, there.

Hello! Sharky-boy and the Char-grill!

Hey, man! Hey!

Oh, how are you?

Hey, what's up Gavin?

Oh, that's right! Oh! Beers?

Hells yeah. Yeah.

Go on then, young fella.

Hey. Hi.

How are you? Good.

How was the drive?

Oh, drive was fine. Yeah.

Well, let's go drink. (CHUCKLES)

So...

Fill your boots, everyone, please.

You're all so special to me. Uh...

..I thought that playing footy at the top level

would be the happiest years of my life.

But being here tonight makes me think that maybe they were not.

This gym family and the feeling around this table....

..this is better than playing, you know?

It's more real.

And I owe all that to Peter Lum.

Even though he's struggling right now,

and our hearts go out to the bloke,

he brought Brick's Gym family together.

And for that, I'm thankful.

So, everybody, raise your fancy glasses.

To my boy, Plum,

ALL: Plum! To Plum.

What are you doing? (LAUGHS)

We'll down this one and get another two more.

Alright? (MUTTERS)

Live with me.

Train with me. Put some size on up top.

Right? Get you boxing fit.

Sharks won't know what hit them come march.

Yeah, alright.

Sharkies!

It'll be like, "Young Lum sponsored by Brick's Gym."

DANA: What you guys are going through now,

I've lived through it, too, you know?

You can trust me, Renee.

I'm on Team Plum.

I'm for him.

I know.

Plum.

Have you seen the latest news stories, Plum?

How did you know I was here?

I didn't tell her.

Oliver's daughter posted a photo of you.

"King of Cronulla" or something.

Anyone for a nice cold drink?

I spoke to the police, and they're not pressing charges.

Plum, that's good.

I think you should listen to Dana.

I think she's on our side.

Really? I think she gets it.

Her father, everything she's been through...

..she is your ticket out of this.

I got us a slot.

Prime-time television hour.

You can explain yourself to Australia.

Well, probably the world...by now.

This is it, mate.

For both of us.

We do this interview,

I get to put my message out there.

You get to talk CTE and end the witch-hunt.

I don't know how to talk about that.

You've got CTE.

You just fucking say that. That's enough.

I'll come on the telly with you if you like.

What do you know about it all?

What Oliver's told me.

They won't stop

until they have stripped your Plum flesh.

I used to work for them.

They'll keep going until everything that you did

that was good and great...

..it'll be forgotten.

I lost this one.

I don't make excuses on TV like them dickheads do.

I stuffed it.

It's my fault. The end.

Then we all lost.

(MELANCHOLIC MUSIC PLAYS)

(SNORING)

(BRICK SNORES)

PLUM: Nice spot, eh, Liz?

No prick will find us here.

You look tired.

Big night?

Yeah, actually.

I didn't drink.

And I've been taking them pills, too.

Nice, Plum!

So no more seizures, I take it? No more seizures.

And my hands don't smell like beer anymore.

Well, things are improving then.

Yeah, well, I lost my son and my partner,

and there are reporters camped out on my lawn.

But apart from that, yeah, sure.

(SOBS)

Sorry, Liz.

Don't you dare apologise.

Oh! It's not cool.

Crying.

The best thing about getting sober is you get your feelings back.

The worst thing about getting sober is you get your feelings back.

(CHUCKLES)

Where did you get that one from?

AA.

Problem shared is a problem halved, you know?

I find that hard -

sharing.

Why, Plum?

I don't want to bother people.

You are bothering people by not bothering people.

This isn't new, is it?

Brain trauma?

No.

But it's new in terms of awareness.

Do you think I shouldn't have played rugby league, Liz?

I loved watching you play.

Oh, man!

But when you got hit, you should have got taken off.

Not allowed back on.

And then sidelined for three weeks

or until a sound medical clearance was issued.

(CHUCKLES)

(SCOFFS) What's so funny?

Players aren't coming off the field.

No, I'd still be on there if I could,

only place where I knew what to do.

CTE is not a death sentence, Plum.

It's just 50% of the hand you've been dealt.

What do you mean, 50?

If you stay fit and well, if you overcome your addictions

and speak to your loved ones about it all,

learn an instrument, a language,

you can live a long life.

Isn't that what Plum does best?

Doesn't he take things on?

I've been writing things down,

and I can feel my brain...

..likes it.

It's all in there.

So tell your brain what to do.

Tell it to win.

Oi, Plum, you fuckwit!

Hold this.

(DON'T FIGHT IT BY THE PANICS PLAYS)

MAN: Legend!

Hey, I said, "Legend."

I've been in Bali.

Oh.

Yeah, I can...I can see.

Yeah. It's a totem of a warrior.

It was on the wall of my hostel.

It's excellent, mate.

It's excellent.

I've got to get something off my chest, mate.

You see, we're all pretty upset here at Sharks HQ

because we're a family... Sorry, what are you...?

What are you saying? Can I finish?

You let me finish? OK.

How old were you when I first started with you, mate?

Uh... Six, Gavin. You were six years old.

How old are you now? 16.

Yeah, right. So...so, what's that?

10. 10. 10 years.

We've thrown everything at you, Legend.

Resources via pathways.

We backed you to make the jump from Harold Matts.

Pizza nights, camping trips, Wet'n'Wild,

all for you to what?

Take a meeting with the Storm.

Of all clubs, the Storm. And...

Bobby D, I'm not going to the Storm.

You don't even have the respect to return any of our emails.

You just go after the Storm.

The fucking Storm!

Coach! Bobby D!

What emails?

(WHISTLES) Get up!

Hey, brother.

Hey, are you a mate of Plum's?

(CLEARS THROAT)

Can we give an interview? Ask you a few questions.

No comment. Let me ask you this, is it true?

Plum's partner and son moved out because of his violent outbursts.

No comment.

Fucking four-eyes is not going to talk.

Wow.

(IMITATES PLUM) I'm Peter Lum.

Yeah. Uh, we're stoked for the win.

Boys gave it everything.

Gave it 110% ta...today, out on the field.

On the... (ENUNCIATES) ..field.

Oh, yeah, I'm Plum.

I'm a big man.

Oh, yeah.

Here we go. Go and get a drink.

Yeah, I used to play, uh, against the Melbourne Bunyips.

Oh, yeah, they were... They were tough. Oh, yeah.

How are you, Charmayne? Good?

Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, look, excuse me. I got to let out a ripper.

Oh! (BLOWS RASPBERRY)

Ollie!

Oh, hey!

Well, if it isn't the young David Campese.

Campese was rugby union.

What are you doing here? Where is Peter?

Woo!

Cheers.

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

Ah!

What do you write down when you write?

You said you wrote.

Poetry. Poems. A poem.

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

CHRIS: (OVER RECORDING) This looks like you've had a real go at him.

Whacked him. Belted him.

Oh, I just gave him a love tap.

A love tap. You're a former first-grade footballer.

So, you know, your reaction, as harsh as it was,

is that is that due to the...?

Why did you say this?

Eh?

I mean...

.."love tap"?

It's just not...

I thought he was a mate.

Chris Davidson? Yeah.

Urgh!

Well, you need to stand up for yourself, Peter Lum.

People out there don't know you like I do.

Dana Hanlon is handing you a lifeline, and you just...

It's OK, Renee, I'm going to fight.

Just let me.

Will you tell your son that?

Because he hates you.

He hates me now, too.

Hasn't texted me or called me since Melbourne,

and I was fucking nice down there.

Gavin knows, Renee.

Knows what?

About... He saw you leave.

Leave where? What?

Oh.

Oliver can't know, Plum.

(SCOFFS) No.

Not now you finished them renovations?

Oh, you just suck my big fat one.

Do you know Brick fucked Charmayne?

That's where she went after you punched the wall up.

Or was it...

..was it after you went AWOL at Grand Final?

Right.

Got your stuff, bro.

Did you see Charmayne? Did you see Gavin?

Uh, that's a negatory on Charmayne,

but I did see Gav, and it was pretty confronting.

In what way?

Well, he's, uh, pretty angry,

which confused me because I thought he wanted to be in the Sharks.

Sharks?

He said Sharks.

Good news, though, uh,

Brick's Gym is officially sponsoring him.

I didn't know Gav was living at Brick's.

Are you OK, baby?

Hm?

I...

I just...

(STUTTERS) I just...

BRICK: Yeah, I got these babies sent in from the States.

Yeah, might need to double-chain it. What do you reckon?

Hi, Brick.

Renee.

I haven't seen you at Brick's Gym for a while.

No.

What? You want to do some classes or something?

(LAUGHS) Wow. This is...this is...

This is really nice.

You got this looking really nice.

Charmayne, the cafe,

new equipment.

My son on the couch.

What else do you want?

Huh? From Peter Lum.

What else do you want?

What?

It's you, isn't it?

I knew it.

What are you on about?

Where did you get all this money from?

A certain story?

A story from a certain source?

You're a crazy woman.

Brick.

Merchandise.

Seriously, you've lost it.

Plum's my best mate.

OK?

Why do you think I've taken in his son?

Taken is right.

Renee, Brick has been very generous.

Oh, Charmayne, you really don't see red flags, do you?

It's him.

He's the source.

Open your eyes.

(SCOFFS)

(SIGHS)

Renee!

Renee!

You were right, what you said.

You're right.

Oh.

I can't see red flags.

I can't be in this country anymore with these men.

Well, men and women are the same everywhere.

I mean, we're all just...

..trying.

Please stay, Charmayne.

I need you.

You can't control this, Renee.

This is what I'm doing.

OK?

Thank you for being a mother to Gavin...

..when I couldn't be.

He loves you so much.

Hey, mate.

Have I had offers?

Sorry?

Well, I mean, maybe they don't want me now...

..because I am a Lum.

Maybe they took the offers back.

Offers for footy?

Bobby D said the Sharks made me an offer,

and there's, like, six other clubs keen.

But you're my manager, so how would I know?

I don't...

I don't think...

I don't think I want you to play footy.

Really?

You don't think?

I'm GAVIN Lum, not Peter Lum.

I'm fast! They won't get to me!

And the league, they've got protocols now.

You're going to be affected.

You deadset will be, son. You can't not be.

I just wish things were like what they were...

..and that you were, too.

I want my old dad back.

I don't want you to get hit on the head, son.

And I'm going to share it all with you, son.

I will. You've just got to give me some time.

(SOUND FADES)

Have you ever had a son?

Just one.

A colossus, agile, god-boy.

Have you ever had a son?

A boy who, once named, screeches and he whimpers,

pathetic in his breaches.

Then, my God,

a moment later, God will maul.

God is eight foot in a toga shawl.

Welcome to the fear of your successor.

Have you ever had a son?

No algorithm, no idea.

No-one else's.

His face shape,

the curl of his chest hair.

The pattern of his pores.

It's like looking in the mirror.

But instead of you,

there's hope still.

There's more.

Have you ever had a son?

I was in Pattaya, Thailand, with the boys, 1990-something,

pissed up.

Racing tuk tuks from town back to the resort.

Brick and I are fastest of the tuk tuks.

We are up the front, laughing, yelling, mad.

As we took the bend,

Brick shoves me.

I'm sent flying.

Head first I went - bang - into a pole.

Out of it.

I kept drinking...

..but I don't remember the trip.

Dana, I'm ready to talk.

MAN: (ON PHONE) Hello?

Can I speak to Brad Malifa, please?

This is he.

Brad, it's Gavin Lum.

Shit! Gavin!

You said no-one bothers you down in Melbourne?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course.

Anonymous, you said to me.

Yeah.

That true?

You have my word.

MAN: Dana, Plum, we're rolling in...

..three, two, one.

Well, it's a contact sport.

Rugby league is a collision sport.

And when we sell the game, that's what we show.

Big hits - 'train smashes', we call them.

It's what people want to see, isn't it?

100%.

And it's ironic because what sells tickets

is exactly what causes the impending damage.

Fair to say?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it is.

And the players are only getting bigger, faster, stronger.

Peter "The Plum" Lum, one of the game's toughest players,

have you suffered from repeated concussions?

I've been knocked out cold...

..dozen or so times.

Sparked, hundreds.

And when you got sparked, as you say,

you mostly remained on the field

because you were conscious and able to play?

Yeah, well, if you come off the field,

they'll rip you a new one, Dana.

I mean, I came off once and, um, blokes in the crowd

called me a pussy, you know, a weakling, all sorts.

And the coach might not pick you next week.

He might pick someone else?

Yeah, yeah. And we want to win. We want to win, us players.

And it's this approach that led to your recent CTE diagnosis.

You can't diagnose CTE until after, till you died.

Um, but Liz reckons...

Liz Lombardo, neuroscientist. ..says it lines up.

Lines up how? With my PET scans.

There's been some shadowing,

but mostly with how my behaviour has been.

Is that not an excuse, though?

I mean, you've...you've done a lot of bad things.

What? You went to work drunk.

No.

You put hundreds of people at risk.

That... No, I didn't do that.

Well, there's evidence, Plum,

evidence that over half a million people have viewed online.

Well, that doesn't mean anything. The internet is full of it.

A lot of people might be watching this thinking you're full of it.

I know I've done some bad things.

Like when you beat up that kid in the pub.

Or was that a "love tap"? I didn't mean...

I regret saying love... Why did your girlfriend walk out?

Was it the substance abuse or did you have an altercation?

Altercation? She... What about your son,

who you were seen yelling at recently

in a Melbourne restaurant?

You can't help but think you might have ruined his chances

in the code.

That is untrue. It's not true?

It's not true? It's not bloody true?

What's true?

Well, I can't really go anywhere, you know.

I feel watched and judged the entire time, you know.

I'm so alone.

And sometimes, I just want to end it all, you know?

And I've...I've tried.

I'm so sorry to hear that, Peter.

I wasn't drunk at the airport.

I had a seizure, an epileptic fit,

which is part of CTE.

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

I didn't hit my girlfriend. I wouldn't hit my girlfriend.

I...

I punched a couple of holes in the wall and sadly,

she was there to observe me doing it.

I did beat up the guy at the pub, but that was because

I'd just had enough.

Dana, I've had enough and...

(EXHALES) I'm sorry to all the people that I've hurt.

I'm 49 years old, Dana, and I cannot remember my own son's name.

I just thought I'd come by and tell you that I'm moving to Melbourne.

So... Yeah.

When do you leave?

Tuesday.

Yeah, Tuesday.

My flight doesn't go until 6.30.

Is that what you meant?

(SOBS) Oh!

Oh, my boy! I'm sorry.

No, don't be sorry.

Ainslee's gone to Perth, and Dad's sick!

It's why I fucked up, Mum.

No, it's not. No.

You're brilliant. You're so brilliant.

I'm sorry that I said you couldn't come and live here.

I'm so sorry you've had to see all the...

..all the stuff.

I'm sorry.

I love you.

I love you, too, Mum. I love you.

You shouldn't have had to see all that.

Plummo, jump in.

No, you jump out.

(GRUNTS)

Did you hear?

Young Lum's going to play Sharks.

And I'm sponsoring him.

Are you going to do a paternity test, Brick?

(EXHALES) We had a lot of...

Next thing you know.

Hugs.

Hey, I've always had your back, Lum.

OK? Whenever you went missing. (LAUGHS)

What are you laughing at? What?

Watch yourself, Lum. (DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

Or what? Or what, Brick? Dad!

What's going on?

Turns out young Lum's going to play Storm, actually, Brick.

I'm sick of how it goes for you.

Peter "The Plum" Lum!

What a joke.

It's all a joke, Bricko.

And they knew it, too, when they sent us out there.

The joke was always on us!

What?

They knew we'd want to win so much, we'd end up losing everything.

I haven't lost it.

We are the joke!

Your missus thinks you're a joke!

Dad, no!

Eh? Eh?!

Don't do this, Peter! Yeah?

Peter, stop! Yeah?

I'm the Brick!

(GRUNTS)

Son! I'm not your son!

(VOICES ECHOES AND FADES) Dad! You killed my dad!

Plum, what's happening? Eighth Immortal.

Rocking along. You?

Always rocking.

You coming through?

My old man in there? Yeah.

He's sweet. He's all good.

Is it hot?

It's like Thailand.

Ice-cold beer?

Could be your last.

Dad! Dad!

Dad!

(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)

Dad!

Good to catch up.

See you, Plum.

In that fight I probably saved your life,

if you think about it.

Well, that must mean you love me.

I'm moving to Melbourne in two days, Dad. So...

You going to play for Storm?

You told them yes.

You said, "Don't get carried away."

And then two minutes later, you said, "Sign here."

Untrue. Ask Ainslee.

She wasn't there. It was just you and me, Brad and Simmo. I remember.

I heard you and Ains broke up.

I heard you and Char broke up. (SNORTS)

I can't stop you, can I?

No. Do you have to go away, though?

Can't you play for a Sydney club? There's plenty...

You have to let me go, Dad.

I'll never grow here. I'll always be young Lum.

Come watch you?

I love you, son.

Love you, too.

(KAIA PLAYS A GENTLE TUNE)

(DOOR CLICKS OPEN)

(DOOR CLOSES)

Plum's article's out.

I mean, where do they think of these headlines?

Oliver, you don't drink wine.

I do today.

Oh.

Just would have been better if I was sitting there with him.

I agree.

Thank you.

At least someone can see that.

I'm sorry, Oliver.

It's OK.

I'm just glad that you're back.

Do you want to have sex?

With you?

Mm.

Yeah, I do.

Now.

That sounds great, Kaia.

Need a hand? (GASPS) Oh, you scared me!

I know I did. And I'm sorry.

When did you...? Why are you...?

Actually, I don't want to know.

Please, Char, where are you going?

Buenos Aires to have my baby.

Please don't leave.

I know I haven't got there yet, but I will.

Plum, I feel for you.

I can't imagine what you're going through.

You can't leave. Why not?

Because I'm in love with you. OK? I'm fucking in love with you.

And the worst thing about all this, the most painful thing about it all

was I wasn't able to go through it with you

because I was too scared to admit to you I was scared.

But...but I can now.

I'm scared, Char. I'm so fucking scared.

It is scary!

But you're too late, Plum.

I've made my decision, OK?

I know you and you know me.

I hide away and you run from things.

Don't run.

Not this time.

We got it so good, you and me. We got it so good.

Please, Char.

RADIO PRESENTER: Well, I got to say,

I just think 2019 is going to be a big year

for the Green Machine, I really do.

(SIGHS) And speaking of big years,

as promised, we have the great man Peter "The Plum" Lum on the line.

Are you there, Plum?

(OVER PHONE) G'day, Maroon, my old mate.

Now, normally, Plum, we have you coming in here

with your footy insights and your wonderful stories

from the glory days,

but today you're here to tell the listeners

about a certain fundraiser.

You're going to raise money... Have I got this right?

You're going to raise money for ex-players.

Yeah, that's kind of it.

There's no... It's no secret I've been going through a bit lately.

Yeah, the tabloids certainly let us know about that, mate.

But I've got to say, Pete, the interview with Dana Hanlon,

that was amazing.

That changed how people were thinking.

And so it should have, because I've got to say,

you've always been a top bloke in my book.

Thanks, mate. Likewise.

But, yeah, this is only the beginning with concussion

and head-knock stuff, CTE.

Um, there's still a hell of a lot to be done,

but this fundraiser is a start.

Oh, 100%.

And so, if you live within cooee of the shire,

get down to the Old Bike Shed on Friday night with Plum

and throw some of your hard-earned down on a piece

of this New South Wales Immortals memorabilia.

It could not be going to a better cause.

Thanks, mate.

Everyone, my daughter Kaia.

(KEYBOARD AND BASS PLAY) KAIA: This is for you, King.

(CHUCKLES)

Hey!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE) Quay! Quay!

Renee and I we're thinking about taking tango lessons.

Oh, you should. You should go to Argentina.

Oh, that's romantic. Yeah.

Oh, I've been looking for those.

Yeah, I thought it was time

I handed you back your tracksuit, Oliver.

Oh, you've been wearing my clothes.

That's kind of cool, actually.

I knew this was a mutual admiration club.

Charmayne, how are you feeling?

Good. Is that a baby bump I can see?

Well, I'm only 16 weeks, so not showing so much.

So, you've had the DNA test, then?

No. Plum wants to wait and see.

Oh, really? Till it...

Yeah, it's nature's greatest lottery.

And also, I don't care whose oversized head it has,

I'm going to care for it anyway. Oh, God help my vagina.

You should think about Kegel balls. OK.

Kegel balls? You swore by them.

No, Oliver. Kegel balls?

Kegal... OK.

Oh, yes. Looking very professional.

And so handsome in your Melbourne Storm suit.

(CHUCKLES)

(GLASS TINKLES) Everyone.

Can I have your attention, please?

Is this still working? (LAUGHS) Sh!

Alright. Hello, everyone, and welcome to the RENEE-ssance.

So, the reason I've known

what you all know now

is that I am Plum's next of kin.

And some of you might not know what a next of kin is.

And it usually means

that you're the closest living blood relative.

You know, siblings, spouse, children.

But for Peter, it means,

"I forgot to change the form

"when I got divorced from my wife seven years ago."

Oh... (LAUGHTER)

Well, we've all been through a lot as a family of late.

I'm not going to cry.

And I think we've all grown.

We've all grown together as a result of the ripple effect

of Peter's brain injury.

And I've learned a lot.

I've learned that we are...

..we are one big bloody family.

And as I stand here on my bench seat in my backyard,

surrounded by you all,

I have everything I need,

everything and more.

This is your home for the rest of your lives.

I am all your next of kin, whenever you need me...

..no matter what happens to any of us.

That's all.

(LAUGHS)

RENEE-ssance!

Hm.

I didn't forget.

(INDISTINCT CHATTER AND MUSIC)

Alright, settle down, you lot. Settle down.

Ladies and gentlemen, and those living beyond the binary,

please take your seats, take your seats,

because we're about to commence a first for the Bike Shed,

if you can believe it.

A sporty sport night of fundraising.

Now, please give a very warm welcome to the feminist force

that is Dana Hanlon!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Firstly, I'd like to thank Peter Lum for trusting me.

Not only has this led to the beginning of awareness

around this issue, but it's also nabbed me a few job offers

back in the footy world I grew up in.

So tonight it's not an awards night,

as the beautiful Titania said,

it's a sporty sport fundraiser,

that a bloke decided to name after my late dad.

(EXHALES) The Mo Hanlon Charity For Brain health.

(CHEERING)

The money raised tonight will allow ex-players like my dad

to get PET scans before it's too late.

MRIs are covered.

PET scans cost 900 bucks that the league won't pay for.

Your friend found a solution himself.

So, without any further ado,

I would like to welcome to the stage....

Come on, get this done. ..Peter "The Plum" Lum.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

G'day, everyone. Thanks for coming.

And welcome to the Mo Hanlon Charity For Brain Health Auction.

There are 21 items to bid for,

some of my most prized positions...

..prized possessions, yeah?

Um, but before we get started on that stuff, um...I...

..I want to read, I want...I want to...

I got a little surprise. Oh, God. Surprise?

Give it a chance, darling.

This is a poem.

It's called Impact Player, by Peter Lum.

"Head knocks are on another level.

"Bad head knocks, being levelled, you don't know what's what.

"Is that real?

"I'm gonna cry too much to feel,

"like everything that ever lived is alive in me,

"like everything that ever felt is coming out of me.

"Women, you want your men to open up, throw him out to sea.

"Let him crash against the rocks, let him box, AFL, rugby league.

"'Cause a head knock is a hard knock.

"Open up the door.

"Day after a head knock, your man's weeping on the floor.

"My name is Plum

"and I'm sorry to all of you that I can't recall your name,

"but if you could lay off for a second,

"'cause I got my own shame.

"Last time the darn thing seized me,

"near killed 300 people aboard a plane.

"And do not get me wrong, I wouldn't change it.

"Wouldn't even dream.

"What I got to do with the gift I was given,

"I'm so lucky, it's obscene.

"I privileged the present, not the future,

"for the game is in my blood.

"Never take a backward step.

"Ain't that right, Dad? Ain't that right, son?

"My name is Plum.

"I'm a lock forward, number 13.

"I am an athlete, a machine.

"I confess I am a lover.

"I am a brother.

"I am a father and a son.

"I am a winner.

"The only number is one.

"I confess I am a failure.

"I'm an alcoholic.

"The secret is within.

"But what truly knocks your head around

"Is what your heart leaves behind for dead.

"A head knock is a heart knock left unsaid.

"It's not the big falls,

"it's the little jolts.

"It's not the big falls,

"it's the little jolts.

"It's not the big falls,

"it's the little jolts.

"My name is Plum.

"My brain is a plum in a jar. shaken, sugared, scarred.

"I confess I am an impact player.

"But have I made an impact?

"My name is Plum."

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats.

We'll start this thing.

MAN: OK. (EXHALES)

Starting bids for the New South Wales Blues....

(EXHALES DEEPLY)

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

..worn by the man himself - we'll start at $500.

Huh!

Sylvia, you look nice.

Thanks.

It's time to go.

(SIGHS)

But I just used my words.

I know, but...that's life, isn't it?

Can I not say goodbye?

Of course you can.

But not too long, or it comes with you.

(INAUDIBLE)

Peter.

It's time to go.

Cock.

I'm sure they'll bring you back down, Plum.

You're a poet now.

and never die?

and never cry?

at the sun

Captions by Red Bee Media

Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation