Brisbane Lions star Jed Adcock visited Bundaberg on Saturday as more than 300 AFL players returned to grass-roots football matches and local clubs across the country celebrated Community Football Weekend.
Adcock, the Lions’ official AFL Bundaberg/Wide Bay ambassador, was a special guest at the grand final replay and match of the round between Across the Waves/Bundaberg Eagles and the Hervey Bay Bombers at Frank Coulthard Oval.
Jed Adcock and Bob Fordham President AFLBWB. Photo by Bob Brisbane www.justsports.com.au
The 22-year-old midfielder, widely tipped to be a future Lions captain, visited his designated country region to mix with local players, officials and supporters as part of the celebration of 150 Years of Australian Football.
Adcock, originally from Maryborough in Victoria , played with North Ballarat in the TAC Cup, and was drafted by the Lions at No.33 in the 2003 AFL National Draft. A 61-game AFL veteran set to play many more, he made his AFL debut in 2004 and has had two outstanding seasons either side of an injury-ruined 2006, finishing third in the Lions club championship in 2005 and runner-up to Jonathan Brown last year.
Jed was kept busy all day signing autographs, giving coaching tips to Under 14's & 17's, handing out 4 Sherrin Match Footballs to Player of the Match for each grade, 6 2008 150 Year Volunteeer Certicates to ATW Bundaberg Club stalwarts, 2008 Volunteer 150 year Polo to ATW Bundaberg Club President; Kev Anderson, and handing out AFL Qld show bags full of donated sponsor goodies, vouchers and promotional gear to a swarm of eager kids after a Half Time 100 metre foot race during the Senior game. All in all, a great community spirited day, and thanks Jed for your visit.
On the field,
The weekend started in great form with Friday Night Junior Footy, under lights at both ends of the Wide Bay. Auskick, Under 10's, & 12's at Frank Coulthard Oval (ATWB), Hervey Bay Bombers & Burrum Heads grounds.
Then on Saturday, ATW Bundaberg Under 14's won their 1st ever game against Hervey Bay, and their first for the season, by a strong 27 points!
The Hervey Bay Bombers Under 17's had a hard fought 5 goal win against a spirited Eagle outfit, 85 to 56.
In the Resies,Waves snuck home in a thriller against their arch rivals, The Bay, by a narrow 2 points.
The Senoior match was a classic close battle all day, with only a few points separating both Wide Bay heavy weights at each change. Eventually in a thrilling last quarter, the Eagles prevailed, inflicting the Bombers first loss since 2006, and ending a 25 game plus winning streak! A fantastic effort by both teams so early in the season.
Meanwhile, down the road in the Heritage City, Maryborough and Bay Power were duelling in their hottly contested community rivaly round also, It was Power who eventually inflicted a 46 point win over the Bears at Bear Park in the Senior Grade, 129 to 83.
In the Resies, both teams rellied to have a competive game with good numbers, and it was Maryborough who fought out a 35 point win. Anthony Stothard "Bender" to his mates, (MAFC) had the unusal distinction of kicking 3 goals for the his winning side, and also kicked 1 goal for the opposition! Must of started for Power, then was relieved by Power numbers at half time! wink wink!! just dont tell Sharyl our Registrar!! A fine "community" effort Bender!
The 17's went to the Bears by 27, and Power had a win in 14's by a close 19 points.
Then Sunday , the weekend was finished off with Power Black v M’boro Cubs at Bay Power's Keith Dunne Oval in the Fraser Coast Junior League draw.
What a weekend it was! and congratulations to all the Volunteers, supporters and players who made it happen!
More Community weekend photos in our Photo Gallery on the left hand side tag.
Last Modified on 12/01/2010 22:47