Callum Sinclair will wear orange laces on Sunday against Melbourne to support Step Back. Think.
Camera IconCallum Sinclair will wear orange laces on Sunday against Melbourne to support Step Back. Think. Credit: News Limited

Callum Sinclair opens up about his personal connection to social violence as he supports Step Back. Think

NEIL CORDYThe Daily Telegraph

CALLUM Sinclair’s orange boot laces will barely be seen when he takes to the SCG on Sunday to take on Melbourne’s ruck star Max Gawn.

But his small and simple gesture acknowledges a cause he and his family hold close to their hearts.

In 2007 Shannon McCormack died after being king hit outside the Queensbridge Hotel in Melbourne.

Shannon’s sister Elisha is married to Sinclair’s older brother Andrew.

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Callum has supported Elisha in commemorating Shannon in the past by wearing a black arm band.

On Sunday he will don orange ‘Step Back. Think’ laces, which draws attention to their campaign raising awareness about and combating social violence.

“It’s an organisation I feel strongly about, with my sister in law losing her brother to a socially violent incident,” Sinclair told The Saturday Telegraph.

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“I’ve had conversations with Elisha and she feels very strongly about this organisation. Wearing the laces is a small step in helping her journey with step back and think.”

Sinclair says his close connection to Shannon’s death has made him more conscious of the dangers of violence when he is out at the weekend.

“I have been out on the weekend and seen social violence,” Sinclair said.

Callum Sinclair will wear orange laces on Sunday against Melbourne to support Step Back. Think.
Camera IconCallum Sinclair will wear orange laces on Sunday against Melbourne to support Step Back. Think. Credit: News Limited

“You hate hearing stories of people who have had brain injuries, been hospitalised or even died like Shannon. It’s usually over something very small but all it takes is one small mistake for something to go wrong and it can cost a lifetime of heartache.”

Sinclair will be hoping to give his laces a bit of wear and tear on Sunday when he takes on the No.1 ruckman in the AFL right now.

“Max (Gawn) has had a terrific start to the year,” Sinclair said.

“He’s moving well around the ground and going forward and kicking goals as well.

“It will be a big challenge for myself and Toby Nankervis so it should be a good tussle.”

It will be a rare run as first ruck for Sinclair who had to play second fiddle to Dean Cox and Nic Naitanui in his time at the West Coast Eagles and then to Tippett when he arrived at the Swans.

“Kurt has been in great form and Dean and Nic held the mantle for a long time so I just worked in partnership with them and learned plenty from them,” Sinclair said.”

Sinclair could have a heavy workload with torrential rain expected for Sundays match at the SCG.

“The strategy in the wet doesn’t really change,” Sinclair said.

“The wet weather usually means more stoppages and more work because the ball doesn’t move as freely.”