In the wake of last Saturday’s tragic loss of Castlemaine Under 18 footballer Dallas Keogh-Frankling, the Magpies left the decision about when to return to the field to its young players.
The club announced Friday that its players had told them the best thing for them was to return to football and netball in honour of Dallas.
After a week of maintaining their training routines, and spending time together as a club, the Magpies took to the court and field at Camp Reserve on Saturday and Sunday for two big days of sport with the blessing of Dal’s family.
“This weekend we honoured our mate Dal by returning to the field and the court – what he would have wanted, and what his family wanted to see. Our day started with two emotional games in 17/U netball and U18 football with a large crowd of club supporters behind them,” the club said.
“The U18 boys showed us the magic with a win over yet-undefeated Golden Square. The magic continued as the goals piled up, totalling eight by full time, Dal’s guernsey number. Goal kickers were Kyan Martin 3, Aiden Goddard 2, Kohen Williams, Ben McConachy and Callum De Bono.”
The wins continued in B Reserve netball who came on top 35-34 in a thrilling one-goal win against a determined Square. Emily Cooper showed her best.
The 17/U netballers (40-43) and B-Grade (24-45) put up a fight but couldn’t hold off a more powerful Square. Mackenzi Shepherd and Katina Hawkin put on admirable performances.
After a gallant first quarter against the Bulldogs, the Senior men’s team was overrun, not even Brodie Browne-Kerr’s stunning marks and ruckwork could narrow the margin.
The Reserves were similarly outmatched but not without a significant effort from the likes of Jay Hardman, Lachy Maltby, and former senior captain Dave Stephens.
A Grade 71-36 and A Reserve 52-34 netball meanwhile delivered the goods with fantastic performances on court. Georgie Rodger and Jess Lord receiving best on court respectively.
The Magpies ended the day with dinner at the club rooms and thanked all their volunteers who made the day special.
Sunday kicked off with a morning of junior football action with the Magpies Under 14s, Under 16s and Under 16 Girls taking to the field at the Camp Reserve. The Under 14s also recording a strong win, whilst the 16s and Girls sides were valiant in defeat.
The Senior Women’s football side capped the weekend with a hard-fought 19 point victory. They took on Bendigo Thunder in a competitive clash, finding difficulty at times to convert forward entries into goals on the board.
With a number of players injured the team relied on game veterans Tiff Bradley and Tiahna Cochrane up forward, while Chloe Drew and Chelsea Cole doubled up on their U16s match earlier in the day.
Best on field were ruckwoman Emma Pedretti and on-baller Jemma Finning who were extremely effective out of the centre.
“We had many emotional moments this weekend, with all teams wearing black arm bands and wearing red ribbons for Dallas. He was with us as we took a minutes silence and remembered him for his love of the game and of our club. This round is over but Dal will always be with us whenever we take to the field,” the club said.
“Thank you to opposition clubs Golden Square FNC, Strathfieldsaye FNC Juniors and Bendigo Thunder Women’s for your kindness, support, and respectful approach to this weekend competition.”
Earlier in the week the club gave its sincere thanks to everyone who had provided their condolences, written tributes, and sent messages.
“It has been encouraging to know that our wider sporting community is walking next to us every step of the way,” the club said.
Dallas was honoured by clubs right across the Bendigo Football Netball League, Bendigo Junior Football League and beyond over the weekend with many donning black arm bands and observing a minute’s silence in his honour.
On Thursday the club also started a #putyourbootsourfordallas social media campaign as an outpouring of support for Dal’s family with footballers and sportspeople of all codes encouraged to put their boots out on doorsteps and at clubs across the country and share the hashtag #putyourbootsoutfordallas.
The movement quickly went viral with sportspeople as far away as Perth showing their support by putting their boots out in honour of the much-loved 17-year-old.
