Despite a disappointing second-half Kangaroos fadeout, Alastair Clarkson’s heartwarming post-game embrace with young North Melbourne fan Ollie put a significant day into perspective.
Carlton won its third game on the trot on Good Friday, defeating the Kangaroos by 23 points primarily thanks to an unanswered six-goal third-quarter blitz.
But for a few moments post-game, the SuperClash loss surely paled into insignificance for North fans as the magnitude of the occasion shone through during Clarkson and Ollie’s wholesome interaction.
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As Clarkson walked along the Marvel Stadium turf towards North’s rooms, an ecstatic Ollie sprinted towards the Kangaroos coach, who picked Ollie up, embraced him and gave him a kiss on the head.
It was a beautiful moment captured by TV cameras, as well as photographer Michael Willson.
Ollie, 7, then joined Clarkson for the post-game press conference.
Asked by Clarkson why the Royal Children’s Hospital was such a special place, a shy Ollie said: “Because they help you.”
Clarkson paid tribute to the Royal Children’s Hospital and its staff
“Now you (Ollie) have got a beautiful smile on your face. It wasn’t always the case was it? Because you’ve had a tough seven years,” Clarkson said.
“Ollie and his family have made the trek from Sale to the Royal Children’s Hospital on frequent occasions and lots of surgeries. Now we’ve got such a happy and healthy little fella, which is tremendous.
“He’s got a beautiful family. He’s got a brother and a sister, sensational mum and dad who’ve looked after this little fella so much and it’s just one example of plenty who have gone through the Royal Children’s Hospital.
North Melbourne press conference | 13:36
“We’re just so proud that both the North Melbourne and Carlton footy clubs have been able to put on a show today and perhaps reflect a little bit that it’s a game of footy and we all love the game. But what we love is the health of the next generation – and this little fella is the next generation and we’re really happy he’s been involved in this whole day with the North Melbourne footy club.
“It’s a special day because Good Friday was a sacrosanct day in terms of being able to play the game. What we’re hoping to build … there’s some special days on the AFL calendar and this is one of them now.
“We’re really pleased we’re able to be involved in it. I mean 49,000 people at the game today – and it was important we put on a good show.”
Carlton coach Michael Voss was also joined in his press conference by eight-year-old Chiara, who said her highlight of the day was walking onto Marvel Stadium next to star Blues player Adam Saad.
Voss questioned why Chiara’s favourite moment wasn’t singing the team song with the players.
“I didn’t sing it … I don’t know the words,” Chiara said, prompting a laugh from Voss.
The Blues coach said his club was “pretty privileged to be part of the day”.
“It’s interesting when you have the build-up to the week and you start on Monday at the Royal Children’s Hospital, the perspective you have in football … we think what we do is pretty important, but being able to go there and have real perspective on where the game truly sits and what truly matters is really important to us,” he said.
“Then today, to meet everyone who walked through that banner, it was a really special moment. It took us away from footy for a while and got us to focus on the really important things.
“Obviously we were able to get the four points today, but that really wasn’t what it was all about it. It was about raising much-needed money and we were really pleased we’re part of this event and North Melbourne have done a great job showcasing it.”
Carlton Blues press conference | 09:59
After the Kangaroos suffered heavy back-to-back Good Friday defeats to the Western Bulldogs, the decision was made for North to face Carlton for the annual charity match. And the fixture move paid offm with a record crowd of 49,062 as more than $23 million was raised for the Good Friday Appeal.
Voss said he was hopeful that the Blues would become the Kangaroos’ permanent opponent for the annual clash.
“We’ll put up our hand all the time,” he said.
