FOOTBALL
By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT
LAST week saw a Magpie invasion in Gippsland.
Collingwood returned to the region for the third time in two years, traversing the west of Gippsland, much to the delight of the hundreds of footy loving kids and the local ‘black and white’ faithful.
The AFL club’s community camp took them to 24 different Baw Baw Shire schools, meeting with more than 3500 primary school students on Tuesday, February 11.
The 2023 AFL premiers then made their way to Western Park, Warragul for a giant Auskick, Superkick, and junior come-and-play clinic, with a meet-and-greet signing session open to the public.
Almost all of Collingwood’s 2025 playing list were present for the junior football clinic, with only a few exceptions including premiership coach Craig McRae absent on the day.
Players lent a hand to the cohort of AFL Victoria participation representatives out running the engaging drills for the 250-plus kids in attendance across the two neighbouring Warragul ovals.
A healthy contingent of Gippsland-born players are currently wear the famed black and white stripes, with the likes of club games record holder and Sale’s Scott Pendlebury, Morwell’s Tew Jiath and recent recruit Traralgon’s Tim Membrey.
Former Morwell premiership player Mannon Johnston is also an employee of Collingwood as its player engagement manager and gameday runner.
Closer to home, Jiath – the second-year Magpie – took time to reflect on a special day.
“You sort of forget the impact you have on the community until you’re here, like once you’re in the schools… seeing the smiles on some of the kids’ faces, you do really remind yourself that it’s not just footy, there’s a wider feeling within the community,” Jiath told the Express.
“Once you come down here (back to Gippsland), it’s a sense of pride and trying to build that connection – because I’m already from down here, getting the boys to understand how big of a deal footy is to them and just being a role model to the kids.”
Jiath continued saying he felt a connection with the younger, enthusiastic generation present, who he feels he can relate to as a 19-year-old.
“When you’re here, when you have kicks with the kids or you have a conversation with a local and you lead that conversation (and see) how meaningful it is, you do feel you’re doing something within the community,” he said.
“It’s a thing that Collingwood does do really well, which is coming back to community, and one of our mantras is ‘family first’ and trying to make people feel welcome wherever you are from.
“AFL Gippsland does a really good job at trying to make us do heaps of clinics and have them run seamlessly and get into the community and leave as better people.”
Collingwood have since headed up north for their first match simulations against other clubs, starting off against Gold Coast Suns and Brisbane Lions this week, followed by a hit-out against Richmond on Wednesday, February 26.
The Magpies’ last visit to the region saw them stop in Morwell for an open training session at Ronald Reserve, Morwell East.
