What a dissapointment for the fans that turned up! Watched the players run a couple of set drills, kicks for goals then they slunk into the change rooms! There was a multitude of fans (young and old) waiting to get an autograph/photograph with their favorite players, but it wasn't until James Hird wandered over and signed three jumpers, that he said something to get a few un-named players (apart from Jetta) to come up and spend some time with the people!
I am a North Melbourne fan who has twin boys, one of whom went with my wifes prompting supports Essendon. We went to the last North open training session and it was fantastic, open access to the players and coaches, bbq and photo opportunities. My other young bloke came away saying it was the 'best day of his life" and has since become a North addict. My other son saw all the players and when I told him I was going to take him to the Essendon session (have to be fair!) he was thrilled at the prospect of getting up and close to his football idols, what a let down for a 5 year old it was to be!
The only upside was that a bloke from the football department heard how much my son was looking foward to seeing Dyson Heppell (from my Essendon supporting wife... she mentioned how well North had done things, and that Essendon may loose a junior supporter), and the dissapointment from missing out on seeing him, to prompt him to go and see if Dyson could come up and sign an autograph for him. He did, and the poor bloke was swamped by autograph starved fans, to his credit Dyson stayed and signed for quiet a long time. My young bloke was over the moon to get a photo and autograph from Dyson, so a big thank you to the gentleman from the football department and Dyson for making a 5 year olds day!
If Essendon are going to make these training sessions open, and advertise the fact, then they should take a leaf out of North Melbournes book and make it more accessible to the fans. It is a golden opportunity for the clubs P.R department to make a killing, and for them to strengthen their junior supporter base!
Good luck to both teams tomorrow, I know that I will have one happy and one sad child, but as long as its a cracker game like last time, then I will be happy!
I am a North Melbourne fan who has twin boys, one of whom went with my wifes prompting supports Essendon. We went to the last North open training session and it was fantastic, open access to the players and coaches, bbq and photo opportunities. My other young bloke came away saying it was the 'best day of his life" and has since become a North addict. My other son saw all the players and when I told him I was going to take him to the Essendon session (have to be fair!) he was thrilled at the prospect of getting up and close to his football idols, what a let down for a 5 year old it was to be!
The only upside was that a bloke from the football department heard how much my son was looking foward to seeing Dyson Heppell (from my Essendon supporting wife... she mentioned how well North had done things, and that Essendon may loose a junior supporter), and the dissapointment from missing out on seeing him, to prompt him to go and see if Dyson could come up and sign an autograph for him. He did, and the poor bloke was swamped by autograph starved fans, to his credit Dyson stayed and signed for quiet a long time. My young bloke was over the moon to get a photo and autograph from Dyson, so a big thank you to the gentleman from the football department and Dyson for making a 5 year olds day!
If Essendon are going to make these training sessions open, and advertise the fact, then they should take a leaf out of North Melbournes book and make it more accessible to the fans. It is a golden opportunity for the clubs P.R department to make a killing, and for them to strengthen their junior supporter base!
Good luck to both teams tomorrow, I know that I will have one happy and one sad child, but as long as its a cracker game like last time, then I will be happy!
