By LIAM TWOMEY
WITH a crowd of more than 5000 people surrounding the Keilor Recreational Reserve last week, one thing stood out above all. Good Friday football was a winner.
Essendon District Football League clubs Keilor and Strathmore took part in the season opening stand-alone match and were greeted with a carnival-type atmosphere from an enthusiastic crowd.
The match even exceeded the expectations of Blues’ president Craig Teal who said both clubs had already approached the EDFL about making the match a traditional fixture.
“It was fantastic. The crowd at the half way mark of the under 18s was the crowd we would have expected for a normal Keilor v Strathmore match,” he said.
“It was our initiative to host the event and we have requested and said from the outset that we wanted to take ownership of the day and we are keen to reciprocate with Strathmore each year.
“I’ve spoken at length with Strathmore and they are very keen to do a similar type of event. We are staging it along the lines of your Essendon/ Collingwood Anzac Day match.”
Teal already had a number of ideas as to how to make the day even bigger next year including introducing family-friendly entertainment such as face painting and carnival rides.
Both clubs have also discussed holding fundraising for the Victorian Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, which is held on the day.
EDFL CEO Marc Turri congratulated both clubs for their hard work in making the match a success.
“There was a good crowd in attendance, it was a good game of football and everyone enjoyed the day, which was the most important thing so we were really happy,” Turri said.
“Both clubs have expressed an initial interest in doing the same thing next year but reciprocating so the game would be hosted by Strathmore. We will certainly entertain that thought when the time comes.”
The Essendon District Football League was one of the few suburban football competitions to host a match on Good Friday.
However, country Victoria leagues have been using the day with great success for a number of years.
The Western Region Football League does not play matches on Good Friday and CEO Bob Tregear said it was not something the league had considered too deeply.
“It’s not something we wouldn’t do, it’s just something that hasn’t come up at this stage. We’d obviously look at any sensible suggestion that came up, it’s just something that hasn’t appeared on our radar at this stage. There are a couple of holiday breaks that community football clubs seem to appreciate because a lot of people go away for Easter.
“It’s always difficult to say ‘you’ve got to stick around to play football, you can’t go away with your family’.”
