A PAIR of former Magpie stars will be making Northern Football League cameos this month.
Goal-kicking machine Chris Tarrant will turn out for Hurstbridge this Saturday, as it hosts Mernda at Ben Frilay Oval, while crowd favourite Alan Didak will front up for North Heidelberg the following week at Shelley Street Reserve.
North Heidelberg president Steve Peatling said they wanted Didak because of his popularity with Collingwood fans.
“This is a first for us,” Peatling said.
“We’ve seen other clubs do it well, so we thought we’d take the gamble.
“We wanted to see if we could make some money out of it to put towards the juniors. We’re hoping for a good crowd.
“There are no fences, so it’s a free day and we’ll charge for cars coming in.
“We hope it works.”
In addition to the main event – the Bulldogs will take on Epping – there will also be a pre-game lunch, with “Fabulous” Phil Carmen the guest speaker.
The West Ivanhoe Auskick kids will even get a run at half-time.
Peatling said he hoped the guest appearance would continue the club’s strong start to the Division 2 season.
“We’ve got a new coach and new recruits and they’re all blending in well,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Bridges will need all the help Tarrant can give them against the in-form Demons.
Hurstbridge president Matt Knight said everyone at his club was excited to see Tarrant in action.
“Because it’s such a big Collingwood area, they’re falling out of the trees basically,” he said.
“All the kids are over the moon, getting to see an ex-league footballer. He’s a big boy and a very handy footballer.”
Knight said a couple of senior players were friends with Tarrant and had helped to tee up the guest appearance.
Hurstbridge has experience with former AFL player cameos, having had Jason Akermanis play a game in 2012 against Diamond Creek.
The Bridges lost that game by 10 goals but Knight said he was hopeful of a better showing with Tarrant in the fold.
“We didn’t have any success on the field that day, but off-field it was huge,” he said.
“It’s not every day you get an ex-AFL guy at your club.
“It’s great to give the kids a chance to meet him, even the adults around the club.
“With any luck he’ll help us get across the line.”
This article is courtesy of Leader Newspaper.
