Bomber Matt Guelfi’s goal celebration for young girl is all class
Essendon’s Matt Guelfi has won over the football world with a celebration of sheer class during the Bombers’ big win.
AFL
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Matt Guelfi kept his promise.
The Bombers star on Saturday stole the show in Essendon’s big comeback win over the Giants at Marvel Stadium.
Essendon had several stars stand up during their 20-point win, but it was Guelfi’s goal celebrations that got people talking.
The 26-year-old slotted three goals and each time celebrated by raising his hands and showing off his painted fingernails.
The celebrations come after the club this week visited the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne ahead of their Tackling Childhood Cancer game against GWS.
Watch every game of every round this Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
The Bombers shared a video earlier this week of Guelfi visiting young girl Alexis at the Children’s Hospital where he had his nails painted red.
Guelfi told the young girl he would perform the celebration for her if he kicked a goal.
“I gotta play well now so you can see my nails on the TV,” he told the young girl.
“You’ve got to watch on the weekend so if I kick a goal I can do this (showing off his nails). That’ll be my celebration. I better kick a goal now.”
Alexis responded: “I believe in you”.
The visit clearly had an impact on Guelfi, who kicked a season-high three majors as Essendon roared past the Giants in a third term blitz.
The Bombers also shared a photo Alexis sent the football club of her doing the same celebration from her hospital bed.
Alexisâ reaction from home 𫶠https://t.co/hXiya7RDPzpic.twitter.com/rH6u8eqBwZ
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) May 11, 2024
Guelfi told the ABC after the game: “We went to the Children’ Hospital and, lucky enough, Alexis painted my nails and I said I’d kick a goal for her.
“Lining up for that first one, I remembered her saying ‘I believe in you’.”
He was still celebrating long after the final siren.
King ð pic.twitter.com/TKRhOzOhz7
— Essendon FC (@essendonfc) May 11, 2024
Guelfi was given the tough job of manning Giants star Lachie Whitfield in the second half and put the clamps on the talented ball-user.
He finished the game with six tackles, the equal-most made by an Essendon player on Saturday.
However, he was far from alone as Essendon ran away with a 12.10 (82) to 9.8 (62) victory.
Brad Scott’s men have now gone five matches without a loss - a draw on Anzac Day against Collingwood the closest they have gone to dropping a game since their loss to Port Adelaide in Round 4.
Only Kyle Langford hit the scoreboard more than Guelfi with the star forward kicking four goals, including two in the third quarter.
The Bombers next face North Melbourne on Sunday at Marvel Stadium.
Originally published as Bomber Matt Guelfi’s goal celebration for young girl is all class