Like mother … like daughter
When the Riverina Lions travelled to Canberra on Sunday to take on the Tricolours at Ainslie Oval, a special occasion was marked for two of the Lions’ faithful.
Riverina’s lethal mother and daughter combination, Carlie and Casey Byrne, ran out together to celebrate their 50th appearance each for the Lions – remarkably, it was also on Mother’s Day.
Having joined the Lions in 2008, both players have missed just four games in as many seasons and were able to share their fantastic milestone together.
Casey, 17, a student at CSU, joined the Lions after crossing over from the junior boy’s competition, while mother Carlie, a local secondary school teacher, decided watching from the sidelines just wasn’t enough for her.
Both players have been sound performers for the club. Carlie, a determined fullback, enjoys nothing more than keeping her opponents goalless. Further up the field the versatile Casey has enjoyed success through the midfield, half backline and the occasional cameo in the ruck. Casey has also just been named in the ACT Women’s Team for the AFL Women’s National Championships in Adelaide in June.
In a real family affair, Tim Byrne (Carlie’s husband/Casey’s father) was the Lions’ coach in seasons 2009/2010 and young Sheamus and Shaun can often be found joining in at Lions’ training and on the sideline at games.
"What a special day for the girls,” captain Julie McLean said. “Both are solid performers on and off the field for our club and a pleasure to have on board."
The Round 5 clash also incorporated AFL Canberra’s ‘Pink Footy Round’ with the day raising funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Network Australia (BCNA).
BCNA works to ensure that women diagnosed with breast cancer, and their families, receive the very best information, treatment, care and support possible, no matter where they live.
