The Western Rams are hoping that a big crowd will pop down to check out former AFL championship Dane Swan in the first match of the Riddell District Football League season.
The AFL Brownlow medallist and premiership player will pull on the Rams jumper on April 1 in a standalone match against Melton Centrals.
Rams vice-president Stephen Lalli-Cafini said there was plenty of excitement surrounding the match.
“It is massive for our club,” he said. “Being such a small club and being able to attract someone like Dane to play for us.
“Everyone is stoked to have him out there. How often do you get to play with an ex-AFL player, a Brownlow medallist.”
Lalli-Cafini said a connection between an assistant coach and Ricky Nixon, who organises these events, set the ball rolling.
The club will also have a sportsman night following the match. Lalli-Cafini said this would help the club financially.
“It could set us up for the year,” he said.
“We’re looking to fill the rooms which hold 150 people. If we can fill it up it will be massive for the future of the club not just for this year, but into the future.”
Lalli-Cafini said with the match being the only one in the competition and a rare one that weekend across the metropolitan leagues, they are hoping a big crowd could come on down.
“Hopefully we can pack out Ian Cowie Reserve,” he said.
“If we can get the community behind us with league support and everyone getting behind the day it would be really good.
“You don’t get the chance often to have a one off match like this. Great opportunity for other clubs to come and have a look, the more the merrier.
“Hopefully we can get a win against the old rival.”
A win would be the perfect start for the Rams that haven’t won a game since May 2018.
Lalli-Cafini said there had been some positive signs in the pre-season.
“Seeing by the number of clearances there’s a lot of new talent coming,” he said.
“They’re all making the effort to make sure they are training, which is good.
“To get two wins, seniors and reserves [against Laverton], in the pre-season is really good, but it’s still the pre-season.
“It goes to show we have the ability to hit the scoreboard this year.”
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Tara Murray
