The Mooroopna under 14s football team ran out onto the ground to train with a few players from Collingwood.
The team from Shepparton won the chance to train with players from Collingwood through the “Fly with the Pies” competition sponsored by McDonald's.
Defender Brittany Tancred entered her poster and a few lines on why she believed her team should train with the Magpies.
“We have a really good team and I wanted to have the chance to play with real AFL players,” Tancred said.
“I was really excited when I won. To play with real players is pretty amazing.”
Brittany trained with her team that included her brother, Cody, and two younger sisters Jade and Molly.
Jade (9) was a Bulldogs fan before the day but after working out with Paul Medhurst, it forced a change of heart in Collingwood’s newest supporter.
“Medhurst taught me how to kick the ball from the ground,” Jade remarked after spending some one-on-one time with him.
“He was so nice to me and I can’t wait to cheer for him next year.”
Her sister was equally impressed with the All-Australian, “I can now mark the ball when I run,” Molly said.
Paul Medhurst was the head coach directing the team from Shepparton on how to run through the drills. Anthony Rocca acted as the fitness instructor, warming up the players with various stretches. Sharrod Wellingham, Kevin Dyas and Lachlan Keefe worked with the kids on their kicking for goal skills.
Harry O’Brien spoke to the group on the importance of defending and having the awareness to know where your teammates are positioned.
“It’s always important to have awareness not just on your opponenent but also on your teammate.”
The team from Shepparton trained with the Collingwood players for over two hours under sunny skies in perfect football conditions.
At the end of the clinic the Mooroopna team, dressed in new Collingwood training gear, left Gosch’s Paddock with an experience that they will remember for a lifetime.
