The friends and teammates of Dallas Keogh-Frankling have celebrated an emotional victory after deciding to take the field in his honour, just one week after the 17-year-old footballer died.
Dallas collapsed after the Castlemaine under-18s’ clash with Kyneton last Saturday and could not be saved.
His family this week confirmed it was found he suffered a ruptured spleen, believed to have been caused by an awkward landing in a tackle, with a coroner still exploring if there were other factors that contributed to the boy’s death.
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On Thursday, the Bendigo Football Netball League confirmed a host of matches involving Castlemaine’s football and netball teams would go ahead this weekend.
But Castlemaine were given the opportunity to monitor the health and wellbeing of their under-18 football and netball sides before having the final say on whether they would take the field.
Dallas’s grieving grandmother said the keen sportsman would want his club to take the field.
“I’m sure he’d be saying, ‘Play because I would want to be playing’. He would,” Margaret said.
And so it was. At 10.45am on Saturday, the ball bounced at Castlemaine’s Camp Reverse home ground and the under-18s were away.
Two hours later, Dallas’s teammates – wearing black armbands – were celebrating a 8.1 (49) to 6.8 (44) win over Golden Square.
“Our players have told us the best thing for them right now is to return to football and netball this weekend in honour of Dallas,” Castlemaine wrote on Friday night.
“After a week of maintaining our training routines, and spending time together as a club, we will be taking to the court and field on Saturday and Sunday for two big days of sport with the blessing of Dal’s family.”
Golden Square players, coaches and officials had earlier formed a guard of honour for Castlemaine as they ran out onto the field, a celebration of their spirit in playing for their mate.
“Today our clubs stood together as one and honoured Dallas, his family and Castlemaine,” Golden Square wrote.
Castlemaine and Golden Square players stood arm-in-arm after the match, while a similar tribute took place for the seniors game.
Footballers, netballers, coaches, umpires and officials formed a massive circle on the field, centred around a floral No.8 – Dallas’s number.
Castlemaine‘s netballers wore red ribbons in their hair – a nod to Dallas’s favourite colour – while various tributes involving Dallas’s name and No.8 were inscribed on arms across both sports.
Last week’s opponent Kyneton also made the decision to play after the traumatic week and their under-18 side took out an 8.11 (59) to 5.7 (37) win over Eaglehawk.
“It has been a tough week for the club. I think everyone was really affected by what happened last week, none more so than our under-18s,” Kyneton senior coach Paul Chapman told the Bendigo Advertiser.
“Our club has done a really good job at getting around and supporting each other. The under-18s wanted to come out today and play footy and to their credit had a good win this morning.
“I’m really proud of everyone at the club for how they have handled it and for the support the club has given to Castlemaine and vice-versa. Castlemaine has been amazing for us as well.
“There has been a lot of love and support within the two communities, and that’s what footy does… it brings communities together.”