FOOTBALL

MID GIPPSLAND

By LIAM DURKIN

 

AFL fan favourite Brendan Fevola has pledged to help Fish Creek Football-Netball Club, and will be pulling on the boots for a game this season.

Fevola made the announcement on Saturday night during a fundraiser for the Kangaroos, who are rebuilding their clubrooms after they were destroyed by fire last year.

The ‘Rising from The Ashes’ fundraiser saw a gala sports dinner held in Leongatha Hall, with some of the biggest names in sport attending.

Among the special guests was St Kilda great Leigh Montagna, Richmond premiership player turned Melbourne coach turned highly regarded Collingwood and Richmond administrator, Neil Balme, Carlton’s coach of the century, David Parkin and Melbourne Vixen, Kate Eddy.

Local sporting star Belinda Snell also made up the panel.

Snell, from Mirboo North, represented Australia in basketball at multiple Olympics, winning two silvers (2004, 2008) and a bronze (2012).

She famously nailed a miraculous three pointer at the London 2012 games, keeping the Opals’ medal chances alive with a throw from beyond halfway that sent the preliminary match into overtime.

What is it with Mirboo North and sporting miracles?

While it is unclear exactly when Fevola will don the red and white of Fish Creek, his inclusion is certain to bring a great deal of energy to the club.

The reigning Mid Gippsland Football-Netball League premier lost its 2023 trophy in the fire, but has since been presented with a replacement.

Fevola, aged 43, is still playing football (albeit over 35s), and has played in Gippsland before.

He suited up for Traralgon and Lindenow South during his ‘gun for hire’ time fresh out of his colourful 204-game AFL career with Carlton and the Brisbane Lions.

He is also good mates with Trafalgar jockey Jason Maskiell, who joined him for a sportsman’s night at Rosedale Football-Netball Club last year.

Despite a few indiscretions, Fevola was one of the best spearheads in the AFL during the 2000s, kicking 623 goals, winning two Coleman Medals and gaining three All-Australian blazers.

Elsewhere, fellow AFL cult star Dane Swan will be in Gippsland tonight (March 6), speaking at the Woodside Pub, which is part-owned by current Brisbane Lions star and former Yarram resident Josh Dunkley.

Like Fevola, Swan has also done the country footy rounds post-retirement.

The Collingwood premiership player played for Gormandale last season.