By ROY WARD and EWEN McRAE
CLAYTON and East Malvern players were surprised and proud to get the call-up to play an Anzac Day game at Clayton this Thursday.
That pride and surprise will turn to passion when the teams run out on Meade Reserve.
The stand-alone seniors match starts after a short ceremony featuring the Anzac Ode, the Last Post and the national anthem.
Clayton approached East Malvern, the RSL and the Southern Football League in the off-season before booking in the game.
It will be the only SFL game on Anzac Day. The reserves and colts teams from the two clubs play their matches at Meade Reserve on Saturday afternoon.
Clays vice-captain Jayden Gilmour says his club is looking forward to the occasion and representing themselves and their families on the big day.
“It will be pretty exciting. I’ve never heard of local sides out here playing games on Anzac Day.
“It’s exciting for both sides and I’m sure they will all come out to play wearing their hearts on their sleeves. Playing in a game like this is the closest thing we can do to honour those who have served our country.”
East Malvern captain Mitch Ferguson says his teammates are equally honoured to play on such a treasured day.
“The club’s really embraced it, not only in the short term, but looking forward we really hope it becomes a staple of the fixture for years to come.
“We’ve got friends and family that want to come down and be part of the tribute, so we see this as a foundation event. To get the chance to play on Anzac Day, a day that’s so important to so many people, is a real privilege.”
While his Clays teammates will get to run and play on Thursday, Gilmour will be cheering them on from the outer as he recovers from a tear in a knee ligament suffered last season, an injury that came after he had also suffered and recovered from a broken jaw and a shoulder injury to get back on the field.
The versatile defender hopes to get back on the field, either for the reserves or seniors, late this season. Clays coach Ben McGee said Gilmour’s courage in rehabilitating his injuries and get back to football personified the same traits celebrated in Australia’s soldiers.
“With his courage and consistency, it typifies want you want out of a player,” McGee said.
“He is just so committed to his rehabilitation and we hope he will be back on field in round 10.”
Gilmour said it would be frustrating to not be involved in such an important occasion, but after eight years at Clayton he was excited to see the club take centre stage.
“I will be there and just as proud of the boys whether I’m playing or not. It’s tough to be missing out but it will still be a big day for the club.”
McGee said Parkdale Secondary College band would perform during the Anzac Day ceremony.
Sergeant Major Stephen Attlier of the Huntingdale Barracks will toss the coin and present the John Monash Cup to the winning team.
Clayton will play East Malvern at Meade Reserve in Haughton Road, Clayton, at 1.30pm this Thursday.
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