Wagga Auskicker to enjoy ultimate AFL Grand Final experience

Originally published by the Daily Advertiser

Written by Matt Malone

WATCH out for Wagga’s Oliver Duffy on the dias after the AFL grand final on Saturday.

The budding Eastlakes-MCUE junior footballer is one of 22 lucky children to win the opportunity to present a medal to one of the premiership players at the MCG.

It is only part of the ultimate AFL experience that Oliver will enjoy over the next couple of days.

It starts with the Auskicker of the Year function on Thursday night, where $5000 will be awarded to one lucky child.

On Friday, he will take part in the AFL Grand Final Parade through the streets of Melbourne.

Then AFL grand final day arrives. He will run out onto the MCG to play at half-time of the big game, before presenting a medal to one of the winning premiership players after the game.

“I’m pretty excited but a little bit nervous,” Oliver said.

Oliver, a Sydney Swans supporter, will be cheering on his grandmother’s team Collingwood in the AFL grand final. He hopes he can present the medal to Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury.

He is looking forward to the half-time game most, where he aiming for ‘three goals and five marks’.

Oliver, 7, will miss out on his Lake Albert Public School excursion to Jindera Museum but has got the all clear from his friends.

“They’re going to watch me on TV,” he said.

Oliver was the AFL Auskicker of the Year nominee for round 13 and travelled to Sydney for the Swans’ win over West Coast.

He won that nomination after sending in a 30 second video.

Oliver has spent the past three seasons at Auskick with Eastlakes-MCU and favourite aspect is ‘kicking to your teammates’.

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