18 lucky Australians gifted a pair of footy boots from their favourite AFL clubs
18 people from around Australia will own a very special pair of football boots from their AFL idols. Find out who they are.
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The endless love between a grandmother and her grandson. The neighbourly spirit of a man who wanted to bring some light to kids next door who lost their mum to cancer.
These were just some of the stories submitted as part of The Advertiser’s Gather Round competition giving footy fans a chance to win a pair of their hero’s boots.
It shows that sport transcends reality for so many people - young and old - and that shone through with the heartfelt entries.
Sport stars play such an important role in helping spread a bit of love in the world, even where fierce rivalries exist.
Adelaide Crows: Jake Soligo — Winner: Tony Rugari
Cooper and Jaxon Heading’s mum passed away from bowel cancer one year ago.
Every time the Crows had a home game, Cooper and Jaxon’s parents would go and watch.
It rocked the family, hard, and it was hard too for neighbour and friend of the family Tony Rugari.
Mr Rugari knew the Heading boys were footy fans, he knew that they were playing too, so he thought he’d do something special to put a smile on their faces, and it worked.
Entering into a competition to win a pair of footy boots, Mr Rugari was speechless to find out he’d won a pair of Crows midfielder Jake Soligo’s boots.
It meant even more to him to know he would give those boots to two boys that needed them.
“I thought, wouldn’t it be nice if I surprised them with it, but I never win anything,” he said.
“I’m shocked, surprised, happy that I can give it to them, this has all taken me by surprise, I wasn’t expecting this when I woke up this morning.”
Cooper, 14, has been playing football at Broadview for nine years and to him, the sport is everything.
“I found it was my sport, I like footy, I like getting in there, it’s what I’m good at,” he said.
Finding out the brothers were the proud new owners of Soligo’s boots drew a gasp out of Jaxon, 10, who couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
“It’s amazing,” Jaxon said.
“I’ve never held game-worn boots, from an actual footy player, it is so cool,” older brother Cooper said.
Mr Rugari turned to Cooper as the trio were getting a photo taken.
“They’ll use these photos when you get drafted into the AFL you know,” he said.
Cooper and Jaxon laughed at the quip.
Port Adelaide: Sam Powell-Pepper — Winner: Debbie McKenzie
“Go the Power!” young super-fan Riley shouted, holding a pair of Port forward Sam Powell-Pepper’s boots.
Riley Betts, 9, has been a fan of Port Adelaide his whole life, making things interesting at the dinner table as he sits across from his Hawthorn loving sister and Geelong fan grandma.
Even though she prefers the Cats, Riley’s grandma Debbie McKenzie dropped her name in the hat, vying against more than 100 other Australians to win a pair of Powell-Pepper’s boots for her grandson.
Ms McKenzie is a single grandparent, having raised Riley since he was a baby.
“I’m not a lucky person, it doesn’t come to me,” she said.
“But to see him so happy, to see him with something from Port Adelaide Football Club, something he’s really wanted, it’s amazing.”
Riley has recently started playing football himself at Reynella, but hopes that one day he can take to the grounds at Alberton, wearing a pair of boots from an idol, and don the Port Power colours for himself.
“It’s really cool, I’m going to tell all my friends about it,” Riley said.
“I want to play for Port, and I might even get to play with some of the players that are playing now.”
Riley held the boots with a glint in his eye, running around the house in a bit of shock, a bit of joy, and a lot of pure disbelief.
“I don’t think they’re his,” Riley said, astonished as he pulled the boots out.
Ms McKenzie had managed to keep it a secret, telling him instead it was a puppy being delivered.
“Where’s Sam Powell-Pepper, can you call him?” Riley asked.
Ms McKenzie said Riley had always dreamt of meeting the Power team, and this was a big step closer to making his biggest dream come true.
Brisbane Lions: Cam Rayner — Winner: Spencer Moore
“Let’s go! I hope the new boots will help me kick goals and take speckies like Cam.”
Carlton: Blake Acres — Winner: Nicole Attenborough
“Oh my God! My son Hudson is going to be so happy.”
“I’m stoked, it’s a money can’t buy item and he’s (Hudson) a diehard fan.”
Collingwood: Beau McCreery — Winner: DrewKnowles
“I’m wearing my footy jersey at the moment, dedicated and excited.”
“My wife’s a crazy Collingwood fan and if Beau McCreery knocked on the door I’d have a hard time competing.”
Essendon: Mason Redman — Winner: Kirsten Richmond
“My sons Rydell and Raidyn are huge supporters, I think they’ll be pretty excited.”
“We’re trying to get Rydell to play footy and I think this might help a little, a bit of bribery!”
Geelong Cats: Jack Bowes — Winner Matthew Farley
“After my wife passed six years ago, my friend Lisa has been someone who’s been there through everything.”
“She started following Geelong about three years ago, so I thought I’d do something for her, a small token of thanks for everything she’s done for us.”
Fremantle: Luke Jackson — Winner: James Sharpe
“My wife’s a Freo girl born and bred, she’s been a long time supporter of the club.”
“Forgetting our anniversary got me in trouble, but this keeps the running joke going… you can only stuff up once right?”
GWS: Stephen Coniglio — Winner: Reuben McClure
“I love GWS I’ve been supporting them as long as I can remember.”
“Big fan of Stephen Coniglio”
Melbourne: Kade Chandler — Winner: Dianna Kennedy
“It’s nice to be a winner. I think I’m excited because my two Demon loving boys will be exited their mum won something for footy.”
“Seeing my kids so passionate about football and when anything football related it feels happy when your sons are excited and happy about football.”
North Melbourne: Jy Simpkin — Winner: Baden Kennedy
“Entered on behalf of my sister, down with Parkinson’s. Wanted to surprise her and lift her spirits a bit.”
“Very surprised I don’t win much.”
Richmond: Sam Lalor — Winner: Paul Sutherland
“You don’t expect those kind of things. It’s like winning the mini lotto.”
”I’ve never won nothing as special as that. I love my Richmond memorabilia. I collect a lot and I am so grateful.”
St Kilda: Jack Sinclair — Winner: Mark Palumbo
“Very excited, very happy. Particularly for my son he has been to almost every game of the Saints. Been part of the honour guard as well.”
“I take it as an honour and as a once in a lifetime thing. It’s a great experience.”
Sydney Swans: James Rowbottom — Winner: Alice Chegwidden
“We live in Adelaide so we don’t get to see lots of the game.”
“So this is very special to have a Swans player’s boots.”
West Coast Eagles: Jack Graham — Winner: Nick Cooper
“I’ve been a supporter of West Coast since 10 and I’ve always wanted something worn by them.”
“I’ve been a long term supporter of West Coast. I’ve supported them through thick and thin.”
Western Bulldogs: Sam Darcy — Winner: Patrick Crosbie
“Entered for the fun of it. Pretty shocked that I won.”
“I am a devoted Bulldogs fan and go to every game that I can. I idolise Sam Darcy and base my game on him.”
Gold Coast: Noah Anderson — Winner: Dale Ricketts
“My eight-year-old son is Noah’s self appointed number one Adelaide based fan and would love this keepsake.”
Hawthorn: Dylan Moore — Winner: Sylvia Cecchin
“My family are huge Hawks fans and my son who has a vision impairment idolises Dylan Moore and this would make his day.”
“He has 13 on his jumper and was even on the Hawks social media pages as he knows all the results for every round.”
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Originally published as 18 lucky Australians gifted a pair of footy boots from their favourite AFL clubs
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