AFL dream a step closer for Bondi’s Rory Davey

MOST Sydney-based footy tragics can only dream of seeing an AFL Grand Final live, but Bondi eight-year-old Rory Davey will get the money-can’t-buy experience of playing the warm-up match.

Bondi NAB AFL Auskicker, Rory Davey, will walk in the 2014 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade; play on the MCG on Grand Final day and present medals to the 2014 premiership players.Picture: Craig Wilson

MOST Sydney-based footy tragics can only dream of seeing an AFL Grand Final live, but Bondi eight-year-old Rory Davey will get the money-can’t-buy experience of playing the warm-up match in front of more than 90,000 people.

The Moore Park Tigers NAB AFL Auskick player was recently selected as the Round 9 nominee for the 2014 NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year Award.

He was selected by NAB and the AFL, ahead of thousands of others based on his outstanding attitude and approach to the game.

He will be a part of the 22 Auskickers who best reflect dedication, enthusiasm, teamwork and passion that will travel to Melbourne to participate in the money-can’t-buy experience.

Not only will he play before the game, but Rory will present medals to the 2014 premiership players.

Rory Davey, will walk in the 2014 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade; play on the MCG on Grand Final day and present medals to the winners. .Picture: Craig Wilson

Rory Davey, will walk in the 2014 Toyota AFL Grand Final Parade; play on the MCG on Grand Final day and present medals to the 2014 winners. .Picture: Craig Wilson

To top it off, he is also in the running to win $5000 in a NAB Reward Saver account, plus Geelong Captain and three-time premiership player Joel Selwood as his personal footy mentor next year.

But even the opportunity to work with Selwood can’t change Rory’s colours.

Rory proudly says his team is Richmond Tigers and favourite player is Jack Riewoldt “because he looks like me”.

He recently returned from playing on Etihad Stadium, when he was named as the Round nine9 nominee.

He was nominated by his mother Kelda Murray, who said her son is “just completely passionate about AFL and Auskick and just practices all the time”.

“I am always telling him not to bounce it against the wall, or to stop kicking it inside, so something good has got to come out of it.”

Moore Park Tigers NAB AFL Auskick co-ordinator David Scilly said the competition was extremely popular amongst the kids last year and they are all eager to be nominated this year.

“This is such a fantastic initiative . . . to recognise the youngest stars of the game. This Award looks beyond the best player on the ground; and instead emphasises the importance of being a good teammate and looking out for others,” he said.