Sloane, Reilly, Hartigan and Mackay, these were just some of the iconic Kuwarna names to grace the MCG last week.
But it wasn’t the storied Kuwarna stars that laced up their boots, rather their children, with the youngsters invited to join the team in the build up to its Collingwood clash.
The experience formed part of the Club’s annual father son/daughter activation, giving past players and their children a behind-the-scenes look at how the team operates on game day.
Speaking on this week’s episode of The Crows Show, Kuwarna SANFL and Academies manager Jarrod Meers highlighted the importance of these events for the Club’s growing legacy program.
“I think as Club’s legacy and history starts to build out, we are having more of a touch point with past players’ sons and daughters,” Meers said.
“Having activations both here in Adelaide, and over in Melbourne as well, is super important to build out that legacy and connection piece with such key figures of our Club.
“The weekend (in Melbourne) was just another example of the connection we are building with our past players, and our constant mission to build on the fabric of the Club.”
A highlight of the activation was the kids being able to stand in the guard of honour and welcome the current crop of Kuwarna stars onto the MCG.
Among the crop of father sons/daughters involved in the program was Jax Reilly (son of Brent), who was given the special privilege of being the team’s mascot for the day.
“It’s always good to get on the MCG, there’s no bigger cauldron than the Melbourne Cricket Ground, so to go to Melbourne and interact with our Victorian father sons and daughters was awesome,” Meers said.
“There was a focus on the Collingwood game, but to get them out during Captain’s Run is an enormous activation to run, but to have them there on game day and in the guard of honour was a great touch.
“We had Jax Reilly as the mascot, and he absolutely loved the experience of being connected with the current AFL Club, and spending time on the MCG with a ground his dad played on 13 times.
“I know it was really special for Jax, but equally as special for Brent.”
Catch the full interview, plus plenty more on this week’s episode of The Crows Show, airing on Channel 7 Adelaide, this Sunday at 11am.
