Raines hail and shine at footy's mecca
Herald-Sun
June 19, 2007 12:00am
MCG glory: Andrew and Geoff Raines. Picture: Jay Town FOR footy legend Geoff Raines, father of Richmond young gun Andrew Raines, the MCG is the home of football.
Mr Raines said he would never forget winning the 1980 Grand Final -- when his Tigers thrashed Collingwood by 81 points -- in front of a packed and pumping MCG crowd.
"It was absolutely magnificent," he said. "That was an unbelievable memory."
It is no surprise that the magic of the MCG was passed down to his son, Andrew, who went to his first AFL Grand Final when he was 14 years old.
"It's pretty special. I remember being a little fella running around trying to get autographs," the gutsy Tiger explained.
The Richmond defender said every kid should know the feeling of running on to the G.
The Herald Sun, along with the MCG Rite of Passage, are giving 550 lucky children the chance to experience the wonder of Australia's most famous stadium.
On Sunday, July 15, at the MCG Rite of Passage game, the children and their families will get the rare chance to run on to the ground before Richmond and Hawthorn do battle.
They will also meet their AFL heroes and receive an MCG showbag and a free football.
Plus they can enjoy a game of kick-to-kick and watch the game from special seats.
To join in the fun, parents or guardians must register on the MCG website.
Registration opens on Thursday and closes at midnight on Sunday.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21928097-2862,00.html
