Preparing for East Warrnambool Football Netball Club’s sportsman’s night and auction are (back from left) Ellen Hopkins, Rachel Jaynes, Dee Jaynes, Scott Judd, Chris Edwards, Jayson Millet, Adam McCosh; (front) Leila Rose Foundation representative Andrew Chow, horse trainer Matthew Williams and East Warrnambool senior football coach Paul Butters.
AFL legend Kevin Sheedy will have football fans hanging off his every word at a sportsman’s night tonight.
The Greater Western Sydney coach will be the feature speaker at the East Warrnambool Football Netball Club event at Lady Bay Resort.
The evening will also feature an auction which will raise money for the Leila Rose Foundation, which supports children with rare cancers.
Sheedy, the former Essendon coach, will tour Warrnambool Base Hospital and attend East Warrnambool training earlier in the day.
President Richard Jaynes said the club was excited it could lure a man of Sheedy’s stature to the south-west.
“We’re very excited about having the great man down here,” he said.
“I’m not an Essendon supporter, I’m a Carlton supporter, but I love football.
“Being president of the Bombers, you’ve got to love him.”
Jaynes said about 180 people were expected to attend the sportsman’s night.
Limited tickets are still available, although organisers could not guarantee there would be any left tonight.
Among the big-ticket auction items is a share in a racehorse which carries the bloodlines of six-time group 1 winner Testa Rossa.
Signed portraits of Hawthorn star Lance Franklin and Essendon legend James Hird and a two-night stay at the Lady Bay Resort will also be auctioned.
“We’ve got 22 tickets sold to the Essendon supporters’ group. They’re obviously keen to get along,” Jaynes said.
“And various corporate organisations around town have purchased tickets.
“It’s a great opportunity to ask questions about things that have happened, the controversies over the years and where football is heading in the future.”