AFL 2017: Essendon fans to walk as one to MCG on Saturday night before round one Hawthorn clash
Rick Edwards, Moonee Valley Leader
March 24, 2017 1:18pm
LONG-suffering Essendon supporters will literally take the first steps towards a new era on Saturday night when they walk together from Birrarung Marr to the MCG.
The fans’ walk will kick off at 6pm, reaching the MCG ahead of the Round 1 clash, with the Essendon side to feature the likes of Jobe Watson, Michael Hurley and new skipper Dyson Heppell.
The stars will return after their 12-month suspension, to face arch-rivals Hawthorn.
The club has organised the walk – in conjunction with key fans – to include club legends such as Kevin Sheedy, Dustin Fletcher and Terry Daniher. It follows a fan-driven walk to the MCG for the Round 2 game last year to show support for the then-12 World Anti-Doping Authority banned Essendon players and for the players still at the club. Last year’s walk attracted 15,000 but this year that figure is expected to be at least 20,000.
Sam Burridge from Moonee Ponds says he and other Bomber fans will probably need to pack some tissues for the night, which will signal an end to a tough four years for fans.
“The supplements saga was difficult at times. I remember when the club first self-reported I had mates ragging me out who I just cut off. Some of them I talk to now that it’s over but some I don’t,” he said.
“The walk will be a proud moment. It will just send out such a statement to the rest of the AFL and sport in general that this team has been through a heck of a lot and wouldn’t have survived if not for the fans.
“I was listening to Bomber Radio this week and they talked about how a Kleenex or two might be needed and that’s probably how I will feel. Even during the JLT game against Collingwood there were a few Bomber fans choking up as the players ran out and that wasn’t even a proper game.”
Ash Lamb will travel 10 hours by bus then train from Bermagui in NSW to get to the walk and then the game against Hawthorn.
Mr Lamb, who grew up close to Windy Hill and went to school in Niddrie, will meet up with his younger sister Amanda for the walk.
“I expect it to be very exciting,” he said.
“All our penalties have been served and this walk will put a full stop on the whole saga. We have a clean slate.
“All the negative media coverage over four years has been really hard but what it’s done is actually increase my resolve and support for the club.”
*Read how Essendon fans survived four years of the supplements saga in “We Are Essendon”, available from books.slatterymedia.com