Merrigum FNC president Cam Scorey and Kayne Pettifer.
It was a major homecoming for 113-cap Richmond player Kayne Pettifer, as the AFL alumni suited up for Merrigum at the weekend.
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Although the injection of quality from the now 44-year-old couldn’t inspire the Bulldogs to their first win, president Cam Scorey said the day as a whole was a huge success for the club.
Former Richmond teammates Matthew Richardson and Kayne Pettifer shared stories from their career at the Merrigum sportsman’s lunch.
“Great day apart from not getting the four points, but that’s football,” he said.
“A sold-out function, standing room only upstairs, good moneymaker, great vibe and getting a lot of the old past players back to the club for the day, it was a great day.”
1986-87 premiership coach Peter White, Matthew Richardson, event organiser Greg Pell and Kayne Pettifer.
Former president Greg Pell spearheaded the organisational efforts for the sportsman’s lunch before the game, which featured Pettifer and Richmond teammate Matthew Richardson, talking stories from their career, while 1975 North Melbourne premier Peter Chisnall was also in attendance to share his wisdom.
The event featured an auction of memorabilia, with proceeds from the entire event to support the continued operations of the club.
On-field, the Bulldogs fell to a 37-point defeat, but after warming into the game, Pettifer slotted three goals to help keep his side in the game up until the final quarter.
Matthew Richardson chatted with 1975 North Melbourne premier Peter Chisnall.
“To have him back to where it all began for the family was great, and you could see the emotion with him, how much it meant to him,” Scorey said.
“He was a bit rusty early on, but got there in the end.”
Matthew Richardson and Merrigum FNC president Cam Scorey.
The highlight round, which also featured 1986 and 1987 premiership reunions, highlights what Scorey says is a positive year for the club.
“Despite the results on the field, the feeling off the field is amazing, we’ve had record attendance at the ball, every club function is well attended,” he said.
“The netballers have been our shining light the last few years, and we’re incredibly proud of them.
“The footballers get over and support them on game days and the netballers, once they’re finished, they come over and support the footballers, so just making it a fun place to be.”
The club’s next major event will be in the final round of the year, with the annual ferret race taking centre stage.
The club rooms were packed to hear from Kayne Pettifer and Matthew Richardson.
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