FOOTBALL – ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
MORWELL Recreation Reserve was hit by Magpie mania as the Collingwood Football Club started their four-day community camp here in the Valley.
Christmas came early for local young fans as they received coaching from the 2023 premiership team last Sunday (December 17).
People came from far and wide, to get a glimpse of the players.
At the super clinic, Nick Daicos gave away his pinpoint accuracy secrets to local AusKickers.
Brownlow medallist Tom Mitchell taught the budding young athletes his smooth handball skills while the kids must have felt like they were looking up at the Eureka Tower when standing alongside ruckman, Mason Cox.
Prior to the coaching clinic, the Collingwood team met a special fan.
Thanks to Baptcare, Collingwood’s local 96-year-old super fan Jack Darling, who recently inked a premiership tattoo on his shoulder, received a warm welcome in the Gippsland Power rooms.
Interviewed by the Magpies media team, Darling was in his element, holding the premiership cup and cracking jokes with the Daicos brothers.
“I’ve barracked for the Magpies since I was ten years old,” he told them.
He went on to say that at the start of this year, he said he would get a tattoo if the team won that previously elusive 16th premiership.
Josh Daicos told Darling that he “loved it” and that perhaps he “will get one matching”.
A recent draftee to the club and Gippsland Power product Tew Jiath returned to his hometown with newfound fame as children were eager to snag his signature and a picture or two.
Following the super clinic, the general public had the opportunity to get their Collingwood merchandise signed.
Eager fans organised themselves in a single file line taking up most of the Morwell oval.
Clutched in the hands of pies fans were all sorts of items, from premiership posters to the shirts off their back. People were keen to keep a little bit of AFL history.
A ‘Collingwood’ and ‘Go Pies’ chant could be be heard – with many fans still living off that premiership high.
It’s not every day you get to meet your heroes, but for many in Morwell on Sunday, many locals got to do just that.
Latrobe City Deputy Mayor, Cr Tracie Lund, alongside Cr Kellie O’Callaghan welcomed the Collingwood Football Club to Latrobe City on Sunday.
“These community camps go beyond celebrating sports; they’re a chance for our community to come together while showcasing accessible pathways in sport and encouraging active participation,” a council spokesperson said.
“Latrobe City Council’s partnership with Collingwood and the Victorian State Government, through the $85 million Latrobe Valley Sports and Community Initiative, cements Latrobe City’s status as a regional sporting hub of national significance.
“We’re grateful for the collaborative efforts that make events like this possible, providing our community with invaluable opportunities,” they added.
The Magpies visited local schools from Traralgon to Drouin to Fish Creek on Tuesday. December 19, with an evening coach training session for local coaches on the same day.
(Today) on Wednesday the Pies are set to have an open training session from 9am to 11am at the home of Morwell East, Ronald Reserve.
Keen as a bean: Bunyip’s Leigh Muir and his seven-year-old son Ollie had a blast.
Pose: Brayden Maynard and Lachie Schultz loved the camera. Photographs Zaida Glibanovic (unless otherwise specified)
Go Pies: Trafalgar locals Harvey and Darcy were happy to snag a picture with Tom Mitchell, Reef McInnes, Edward Allan and Charlie Dean.
Stars: Jordan De Goey had a few laughs with some locals, while Nick Daicos admired his own work.
Magpie army: Collingwood fans came from far and wide to meet the players.
New fame: Local Gippsland Power product Tew Jiath experienced his first player signing day, handling his newfound fame well.
Star-struck: One young fan was in awe in an exchange with 2018 Brownlow medalist winner, Tom Mitchell.
