The LeasePlan Western Bulldogs head to Bendigo tomorrow for Round three of the NAB Cup / NAB Challenge program.

 

The game, to be held in honour of police constables Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre who were shot while on duty 20 years ago, will see two strong sides take to the field.

 

The winner of the game will receive the Tynan-Eyre Cup which will be presented by family members of the late police constables.

 

Bulldogs veteran Scott West will be rested, however Jason Akermanis and Brad Johnson have been name in the squad.

 

First year players James Mulligan, Guy O’Keefe and Callan Ward have also been named in the squad with all three keeping their fingers crossed for a final team call up.

 

Many local organisations are to benefit from the staging of the NAB AFL Challenge game being held in Bendigo with the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Central Victorian Football Inc. will be making a donation to the Bendigo Hospital Tynan Eyre Trauma Centre. 

 

Funding from the game will also be distributed back into the local sporting community including the Bendigo, Heathcote District, Loddon Valley and Bendigo Junior Football Leagues, the Bendigo District Cricket Association and the Bendigo Football Netball League. 

 

Without the support of many local organisations, including the Local Football community, the Blue Ribbon Foundation, the Bendigo Hospital Victoria Police and the State Emergency Services, the staging of the game would be extremely difficult. Over 400 volunteers will contribute to the success of the night.

 

Steven Oliver, Chief Executive Officer of Central Victorian Football said the NAB, as major sponsor, along with the AFL, had played a huge part in allowing promotion of this game back into the country areas. 

 

“Bendigo is fortunate to be able to enjoy this game, with many other communities across Australia envious of our opportunity,” he said.

 

“It is only with the enormous contribution from a large cross section of the community that ensures the successful staging of this game.”

 

The Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation was established to perpetuate the memory of members of the Victoria Police killed in the line of duty. This is achieved through fundraising with money going to specialised medical facilities in Victorian public hospitals.

To date, the Blue Ribbon Foundation has allocated more than $3 million to community projects that give specialised treatment and mediacl care to over 65,000 patients each year.

 

Time: 7pm

Gates Open: 4.30pm

Address: Queen Elizabeth Oval (QEO) - View Street, Bendigo

 

Tickets: Western Bulldogs 2008 Members and AFL Members receive free general admission to the NAB Challenge upon presentation of their 2008 membership card (subject to capacity.)

 

General admission tickets can purchased in the lead up to the match from the following outlets:

 

Adult                                              $13.00

Student/Pensioner                           $5.00

Child U.14                                      $2.00

Family (2 adults/2 children)             $25.00