Bombers and Tigers unite for Mildura
02 March 2006 Herald Sun
Mark Robinson
ESSENDON and Richmond will play a football match in Mildura to help return a smile to the devastated community.
The brainchild of Kevin Sheedy and the Bombers, the practice match, to be played at Red Cliffs Oval, is likely to be held as a twilight clash on Friday, March 17.
Up to 15,000 people are expected to attend, with all proceeds likely to be donated to a trust fund being set up by the City of Mildura.
The town was left reeling 10 days ago when six local teenagers died after being hit in a horrific road accident.
Several others were critically injured.
Essendon and the AFL yesterday stressed they did not want the match to be a tribute or memorial game for the deceased, but simply a gesture to Mildura that people outside its community were thinking of the town.
Both clubs will field full-strength teams, the Bombers to include James Hird and Matthew Lloyd and Richmond Nathan Brown and Matthew Richardson.
Mildura Mayor Eddie Warhurst was deeply moved by the initiative.
"The idea would've come from the heart," he said yesterday.
"Obviously, Kevin Sheedy was concerned enough and empathised enough with it to take it to the AFL and the AFL responded immediately.
"This has given us something to look forward to in the context of the fact it grew out of something that was a very, very real tragedy.
"And it was suggested and driven by people outside the community and, quite frankly, that says it all."
Essendon chief executive Peter Jackson yesterday acknowledged a game of football could not replace or repair what had happened.
"Mildura has had a shocking couple of weeks and we can't possibly doing anything directly to erase what happened," Jackson said.
"A game of football is a game of football, but if we can give the community a bit of relief and a bit of a diversion, well it's worth going up there.
"Sport is a very important part of any community. Even more so regional communities. It's one of the things that binds communities together."
A father of six, Jackson, like everyone, was shocked at the loss of lives.
"I couldn't think of anything worse. As a parent I don't know how you'd deal with it. It's a fear that every parent has," he said. "It's so tragic . . . so if we can help, we will."
Mildura has been a Tigers heartland for many decades, producing greats such as Dale Weightman and Mark Lee.
Last year Richmond was sent there as part of the community camp program, with coach Terry Wallace promising the town the Tigers would be back when they could.
Wallace said yesterday the circumstances of the return were tragic.
"We've all been watching the stories closely. We know one of the girls, through the Herald Sun, was wearing a Tigers guernsey. So, when Essendon's initiative came up we thought what an opportunity to try to support," Wallace said.
"It's obviously been a very sad time up there and it will be that when we go up, but if we can do our little bit to support them, we are more than happy to do so."
AFL ground operations manager Jill Lindsay yesterday inspected the Red Cliffs Oval and facilities and gave the green light.
It's believed the AFL is exploring ways to raise money, either through ticketing or a donation. League sponsors are also believed to be considering getting involved.
AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the game would hopefully act as a unifying force.
He thanked Sheedy and Bombers communications manager Simon Matthews for the idea and the Tigers and the mayor for combining to make the game take place.
"Everyone has been touched by this tragedy and the impact the loss of six young lives and the injuries to a number of others has had on the broader community," Demetriou said.
"Certainly the footballing community has been saddened by the recent events and this game can act as an opportunity to show the game's support for the community.
"This is a way the AFL family thought it could help."
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,18320063%255E19771,00.html
