Spirit of the Tiger helps young fan ease memories of MCG ordealNino Bucci
Melbourne Weekley
01 Aug, 2012A CLASH with a threatening bloke at the MCG shook 12-year-old Marcus Stephens' love of the game. But kicking the footy yesterday with imposing Richmond ruckman Ivan Maric helped bring it back again.
Marcus, a Tigers fan, said he had been grabbed by the throat and sworn at by an adult Carlton supporter for celebrating a goal at the MCG on Saturday night. Marcus' mother Dina said her son and his friends were thrilled Richmond gave them the opportunity to spend time with Maric.
Ms Stephens said the mulleted Maric was Marcus' favourite player because he met him and shook his hand at a family day earlier this year.
''It was a good day, he was pretty excited and happy that he got to spend time with Ivan,'' she said. ''I'm pretty sure he'll go to the footy again, he keeps saying he'll give it one more go.''
Ms Stephens said she was not sure what Maric had said to encourage Marcus to go to the football again, after he had feared returning because of his ordeal. ''I'm not sure what Ivan said, but Marcus has been talking about it all day,'' she said.
Ms Stephens and Marcus gave formal statements to police about the incident yesterday.
A Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman would not comment on whether the Carlton fan had been identified, but said any information had been passed on to police.
http://www.melbourneweekly.com.au/news/national/national/sport/spirit-of-the-tiger-helps-young-fan-ease-memories-of-mcg-ordeal/2640767.aspx
