THE Woorinen Football Netball Club are excited to be playing in the very first Good Friday fixture for the Swan Hill region later this year, when they host the Cohuna Kangas at Woorinen Recreation Reserve.
The match is expected to draw in quite a crowd and will be a massive boost for the Central Murray Football Netball League, with the game following in the footsteps of other leagues across country Victoria.
Woorinen Tigers President Craig Threadgold is looking forward to the clash – and making the most of being the only game played in the region over the Easter Weekend.
“It’s a good opportunity that’s for sure,” he said.
“We can take advantage of all the people coming to town – and there’s not much to do on Good Friday.”
Good Friday football has been successful in leagues across the state and Threadgold has been in discussions with representatives from Mildura, Echuca and the Ovens and Murray leagues to see how it has worked for them.
“We think we will be a huge success,” he said.
“We want to get out and promote it and get a good crowd in – other leagues have tried it with great success so it just makes sense that we play a game in our region too.”
To mark the occasion, the club has signed recently retired AFL superstar Josh Jenkins to play in the match.Jenkins, who was born in Swan Hill and played with both Tyntynder and Lake Boga, went on to play 147 games for the Adelaide Crows, before moving to Geelong, where he spent two seasons on the Cats list.
A prolific goal scorer, Jenkins finished his AFL career on 296 goals and is sure to have quite an impact for the Tigers on Good Friday.
Threadgold is very much looking forward to having Jenkins on board and is certain his inclusion will add quite a bit of interest in the clash.
“It’s good having JJ (Jenkins) come on board – it will certainly create a bit of interest,” he said.
“He’s got family here and he’s good mates with a few of the boys.”
The deal with Jenkins is a one-off – however it will be a big positive for the league and is a massive coup for the club.
“Signing JJ makes the game worthwhile now,” Threadgold said.
While the local footballing community will be keen to see their home town hero in action, Jenkins is also looking forward to pulling on the boots and getting a kick in the Central Murray Football Netball League for the first time since 2010.
“Some of my best mates play at Woorinen – I’ve always promised them I would come and play a game with them,” he said.
“So here I am fulfilling my promise.
“I’ve been told the Kangas are going to be a really strong team, so hopefully everybody’s able to sneak out and watch what should be a good game of footy.”
Jenkins is adamant that the game is a one-off and has since moved into a career in the media after retiring at the end of last season.
Woorinen are planning a light training session on the Thursday before the game, where youngsters will have an opportunity to have a kick with Jenkins.
“We will be having a kick on the Thursday night,” he said.
“By any means, if any youngsters want to come and have a kick, they are more than welcome.”
