AFL bows to pressure to let brothers play in honour of dad

AFL Victoria and AFL New South Wales have bowed to pressure to allow two brothers to play in a country footy game in honour of their dad.

Much-loved former Great Western Football Club president Rodney Matheson passed away suddenly and his sons have returned to their small home town between Ararat and Stawell, and requested to play one last game together for their Dad.

“Our president from three years ago passed away and his boys are down here for the funeral,” Club secretary Danny Hoare told Tony Jones.

“They asked if they could get together on Saturday and play in our reserves team.

“We approached the AFL Western District and asked for them to approve the permit for the day and they got back to us last night and said no.”

After a morning of persisting by the 3AW team – program producer Samantha Lowcock joined TJ, right before the end of the show, to deliver the good news.

“There was an issue with getting permits because one of the brothers to plays in a different team in NSW, and to get leave to play in an interstate team there was paperwork, red tape and permits,” she said.

“The AFL has stepped in, AFL NSW has gotten together with AFL VIC and they’ve decided the brothers can play together.”

“Thank you every much, they’ll be elated,” Danny said.

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Good luck to the Great Western reserves for tomorrow’s game!

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Photo: Fairfax Regional Media (Rhys (16), Rodney, and Hugh (18) Matheson in 2010)