Goodes hits the North Coast
Story courtesy of Port Macquarie News
By ROD THOMPSON
Dual Brownlow Medal winner Adam Goodes, and fellow Sydney Swans Josh Kennedy, Lewis Johnston and Taylor Gilchrist will lift AFL’s profile in the Hastings and Macleay this week.
The quartet is visiting the two areas today and tomorrow, as part of the 2010 Telstra AFL Community Camp program.
The players will participate in a range of activities including local school visits and clinics for supporters, coaches and youths.
They’ll also attend a fundraising dinner this evening at the Port Macquarie City Bowling Club.
“It’s a big coup to have these guys in town,” AFL NSW/ACT Development Officer, Chris Gridley said.
“Especially, a player like Adam (Goodes).”
“The Telstra AFL Community Camp program is a great opportunity for the players to get out and meet, and enjoy, the communities in the regional centres.
“For many families in our area, the chance to see a big game is very rare.
“So, being able to have access to the Swans, across the camp period, is vital for the growth of the sport in the country.”
Goodes, a 252-game veteran, was a member of the side’s premiership-winning outfit in 2005.
He shared the Brownlow Medal alongside Nathan Buckley (Collingwood) and Mark Ricciuto (Adelaide) in 2003 and snared the honours on his own three seasons later.
Johnston, from North Adelaide, is seen as a future key-position forward as he is tall, strong in the air and a clever ground player.
He took the most contested marks in the 2008 NAB AFL Under 18 Championships and is an AIS/AFL Academy graduate.
Recognised as a consistent and courageous inside midfielder or half-back, Kennedy was recruited as a father-son selection by Hawthorn in 2006.
He played just 13 games in two seasons for a club so strongly tied to his family that he requested a move to the Swans at the completion of 2009.
Gilchrist was drafted to Sydney with the 28th selection in the 2008 AFL Rookie Draft.
He’s an athletic, agile midfielder who can run the lines.
Comments
Comment Guidelines: The SportingPulse Network is made up of players, families and passionate sports followers like you who have a strong opinion about sport. That's great - we want you to have your say and share your thoughts with the world. However, we have a few rules that you must follow to keep it fun for all. Please don't be rude, abusive, swear or vilify others. Apart from some pretty serious sport sanctions, we also can ban you and report you if things get out of hand. So play fair and have fun, and thanks for your contribution.