Click here to view a behind the scenes photo gallery of the shoot.
Receiving the email from the club (via their school teacher) requesting members and supporters to attend the television commercial, the family had no qualms about making the voyage.
Dwayne and Storm Boy traveled overnight on Sunday, while their cousin Madeline arrived in Melbourne earlier in the week to compete in the national athletics competition in Bendigo.??
“We live in Arnhem land in a place called Gapuwiyak and we barrack for Collingwood,” Madeline told Collingwoodfc.com.au.
“A long time ago in Gapuwiyak there was a team called Collingwood and my father played for them. That’s why we barrack for them.”
It was the first time the kids ventured outside the Northern Territory and were accompanied by their teacher Matthew, who is housing the family for their month-long stay in Melbourne.
“Madeline has been here for a couple of weeks. She came down early to participate in the national athletics competition in Bendigo,” said Matthew.??
“It took us awhile to get here travelling 22 hours including a two-and-a-half-hour drive over rough terrain followed by three separate flights.??
“The guys watched the first grand final at my house and we had a big party with half the town dressed up in face paint, streamers and balloons.”??
Madeline participated in the 800, 200 and 100 metre sprints and the shot put. She was required to wear shoes for the events, something she is not used to running barefoot in Gapuwiyak.
“The shoes made my ankles sore and I think I ran slower. It was great fun even though it was freezing.”??
The family’s visit was capped off with a photo set up with premiership stars Scott Pendlebury and Steele Sidebottom.
The family is planning to attend this Friday’s open training session (view training times) at Gosch’s Paddock where they hope to meet their favourite player, Leon Davis.
Steele Sidebottom and Scott Pendlebury met Madeline, Storm Boy, Dwayne and their teacher Matthew from Gapuwiyak.
