Ronan walks tall with the Giants
PETER WAY
MACARTHUR CHRONICLE CAMDEN
Ronan Taylor isn’t very tall.That is normal because he is only five-years-old.
But last week he lived out his dream when he ran out with his beloved GWS Giants at Sydney Showground before their AFL premiership clash with Geelong.
In the players’ eyes Ronan was a giant among men. Ronan recently had an extended stay at Campbelltown Hospital where he received treatment for erythema multiforme, which is a sensory reaction.
The condition prevented him from being able to walk and affected the Narellan youngster for about six weeks. The infection also resulted in his body severely swelling up with his parents describing him as a little elephant man.
Ronan was able to run out onto the field with the team and interact with players before and after the game in the dressing room.
Ronan’s father Luke said he couldn’t wipe the smile off his face.
“He went to sleep with his Giants gear on,” he said.
“The next day he was recreating running out onto the field in the backyard by running through the sheets on the clothesline.
Ronan was selected for the honour through the Slater and Gordon Gentle Giants program that tries to cheer up kids that have been stuck in hospital for an extended period of time. Ronan has made a full recovery.
Slater & Gordon Campbelltown lawyer Jimmy Dufour said it was great to see the Taylor family able to attend Saturday night’s Giants game and watch Ronan run out on the field with the team.
“Ronan may be smaller than most professional AFL players, but on Saturday he was a Giant,” Mr Dufour said.
“This was a very special night for the Taylor family — not only did they get to see their favourites Giants play, but also witness their son run onto the field with his football heroes at the start of the match.
“We are so pleased we were able to help create such a memorable night for them.”
RONAN: plays for the Camden Blues AFL club and his favourite players are Heath Shaw and Adam Treloar
GENTLE GIANTS: Slater and Gordon Campbelltown lawyer Jimmy Dufour said “Ronan may be smaller than most professional AFL players, but on Saturday he was a Giant”
SUPPORT: did support both Sydney teams but after Saturday he is now firmly in the Giants camp
