North Melbourne to play at Metricon Stadium a year on from club legend’s death at the venue

Nearly a year to the day a former football great died at Metricon Stadium, his beloved club will return to play at the venue.

NEARLY a year to the day former North Melbourne VFL great John Waddington died at Metricon Stadium, the Kangaroos will return to play Essendon at the venue.

Waddington suffered a cardiac arrest just inside the football precinct after entering through Gate 1 on July 6 last year in the lead up to the first bounce between the Gold Coast Suns and Richmond.

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS: COAST FOOTY SERIES

‘Broken ribs and a punctured lung’

‘I wanted to be dead on the floor

The 81-year-old was pronounced dead on site, drawing to an end an incredible life that included his long-stint at North Melbourne.

Waddington, who lived on the Gold Coast, played 132 games for North Melbourne between 1958 to 1966, wearing the no. 32 in each of the fixtures in what remains a club record.

Todd Goldstein and Jack Ziebell of the Kangaroos lead their side out Picture: AAP Image/Scott Barbour

It’s fitting North Melbourne will play their Round 6 fixture at the same venue a year on.

The former defender kicked 30 goals across his VFL career, including three in a semi-final win over Fitzroy.

He was also part of the North Melbourne teams that won back-to-back night premierships in 1965 and 1966.

‘I LOOKED DOWN AND HE WAS GONE’: FATHER’S DREAMS ABOUT LOST SON

HOW CRICKETER’S DEATH HAS AFFECTED CLUB

“HORRIFIC ATTACKS”: SURFING ICON’S TERRIFYING SHARK ENCOUNTERS

Waddington was famously involved in the second of only three player headcounts in League history during the second-last round of the 1958 season as North Melbourne and Essendon competed for the final spot in the top four.

It turned out Waddington legally replaced teammate Albert Mantello, leaving Essendon coaches red-faced.