...There was an interval and Sam Rowe was called up onto stage for a chat and he discussed the last 12 months what he went through and gave advice that all men should go for regular health checks. He said that whilst the timing was unfortunate in that he was trying to make his way into the AFL he was also very lucky that he had a great support network from the players, officials and administration around the club. As it turned out there was a young lad around 18 years old on our table who was about to go through the same treatment that Rowe did last year, they got him up on stage and presented him with a signed Carlton jumper which was a nice touch. He was too emotional to talk and went back to his seat but it was great to see some of the Blues player come up and give him words of encouragement, one in particular Dylan Buckley spent a good ten minutes talking to this young lad...

That tale is bloody fantastic, thanks for sharing (and everything else as well).

Bendigo will always be a Carlton town. We had so many great players from there when it was our zone that their families and friends will carry it on if things go according to Hoyle. Half a life ago I used to sit with my dad in what was the Hawthorn stand and all around us for years were the busloads of supporters who came down every home game. We made a lot of friends in those halcyon days.
Great so see the tradition of Carlton and Bendigo carrying on through the present day players and the club. Kudos to them.
Nice writeup, Bomba.

BTW,,it is interaction like this that got the Hawks a strong toehold in Tassie so we need to make sure we follow it up.

''Bendigo is a CARLTON town'' : Mark Robinson.

That it is.

And hopefully always will be