Port Adelaide’s biggest fan Xavier Pudovkin’s cancer relapses before finals

Some of Port Adelaide littlest, biggest fans are facing some of the toughest battles, but that won’t stop them cheering on their team in the finals this Friday.

Nothing will stop footy fanatics Xavier Pudovkin and Fraser Suggate from watching their favourite team in the AFL finals, not even the big C.

Despite undergoing treatment, seemingly endless tests and appointments, the boys still have managed to take time to support the black, white and teal on their quest for the premiership this year.

Xavier spent time kicking the footy with Port Adelaide captain Connor Rozee before he undergoes his first round of chemotherapy since he found out his cancer relapsed.

“He had the best time, I’ve never seen him so speechless,” his mother Danielle Pudovkin told The Advertiser.

Xavier Pudovkin, 7, is a massive Port fan and is currently battling cancer and got to hang out with Connor Rozee at their indoor training centre. Picture Mark Brake

Diagnosed with stage four neuroblastoma — a rare form of childhood cancer — when he was three years old, Xavier, 7, who was in remission, found out earlier this month the cancer returned.

“I’m frustrated (and) sad,” Xavier said. “It’s in my leg and in my chest.”

Xavier was gifted a team signed guernsey and footy by the Port captain a day before he is set to undergo a biopsy to see if the cancer has gone into his bones, and will undergo chemotherapy on Monday.

Xavier receiving a team signed football and guernsey from Connor Rozee. Picture Mark Brake

“(The relapse) took us all by surprise,” Ms Pudovkin, from St Agnes, said.

“We were really enjoying being a normal family, being able to do normal things that families do.”

Fraser Suggate, 9, is a massive Port fan who is battling brain cancer, with his mum Simone Suggate and he received a signed jersey and football from the Port Adelaide football club and The Advertiser. Picture: Kelly Barnes

In August this year Fraser, 9, was diagnosed with brain cancer after a range of misdiagnosis including gastro and anxiety.

He has been in the Michael Rice Ward at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital following surgery to remove a medulloblastoma tumour he named “Bob the Blob.”

Following the surgery Fraser was diagnosed with Posterior Fossa syndrome which occurs in approximately 30 per cent of children who have brain surgery.

“He’s doing better … he started to walk, he’s feeding himself, he’s talking,” his mother Simone Suggate said.

“It was nice to see him smile and get something nice, which is amazing,” his mum said. Picture: Kelly Barnes

“We’ve got the TV all set up for the game, ready to go. He watched last week’s game with his Nana, he’s excited.”

The club gave Fraser a team signed footy and guernsey.

“He was so thankful and happy … it was just tears of happiness, it was nice to see him smile and get something nice which is amazing,” Ms Suggate, from Sheidow Park, said.

Connor Rozee said Xavier and Fraser are “two really brave and inspirational kids”. Picture Mark Brake

The Port captain said Xavier and Fraser are “two really brave and inspirational kids”.

“I feel very grateful to have spent time with Xavier today, and hope that the gift we’ve sent Fraser lifts his spirits in what I can only imagine is a difficult time for him and his family,” Rozee said.

“Knowing that they’ll both be watching and cheering us on Friday is really special.

“I’ll be thinking of them both as we run out, and we’ll be doing everything we can to get the win.”

Originally published as Port Adelaide’s biggest fan Xavier Pudovkin’s cancer relapses before finals