City of Greater Shepparton

Essendon Football Club visit

Players from the Essendon Football Club will be in Shepparton on 3 and 4 February to take part in an intra-club practice match and host a football clinic.

The intra-club match will be played at Deakin Reserve on Wednesday 3 February, starting at 5.30pm.

Bombers stars including Jobe Watson, Mark McVeigh, Angus Monfries and Brent Stanton will be on show in Wednesday's intra-club match in Shepparton as part of the club's 2010 Community Camp.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Geoff Dobson said it is exciting for the area to host the AFL Club.

"The visit will give people the chance to see some of their AFL heroes in action," Cr Dobson said.

"Supporters will be able to meet and greet the players at a range of functions over the two days and the young kids will be able to take part in a clinic with them on Thursday afternoon."

"The intra-club match is free entry, so I encourage as many people as possible to get to Deakin to enjoy the display.

"I know we have many bombers fans in the area, so I have a strong inkling that there may be a large crowd at the ground.

"It's also exciting that local boy Jarrod Atkinson, who used to play for Rumbalara, will play in the intra-club match."

Only three players - Jason Laycock, David Myers and Tyson Slattery - have currently been ruled out of the match according to Essendon FC's Football Operations Manager Paul Hamilton, but there could be other last minute changes.

"Fans will see some very interesting match-ups including players like Tayte Pears, Cale Hooker and Dustin Fletcher on guys like Scott Gumbleton, Paddy Ryder and Mark Williams," Mr Hamilton said.

"We are looking forward to bringing our brand of football to Shepparton."

The club will select two teams, mostly made up of Essendon listed players - that they think will be closely matched.

"We have a healthy list and the players have been training hard for the past three months and are extremely keen to get out on the oval and play," Mr Hamilton said.

"This scratch match will play a significant part in selecting our NAB squad for February 12 so it's an important game. We will have a much better idea of where some of our players are at after this intra-club hit-out."

While in town, the players will also visit hospitals, community organisations, aged care facilities and schools, conduct a super clinic and autograph session and attend a dinner function hosted by the Shepparton Football Club.

Essendon supporters can see their favourite Bombers at the following times:

Wednesday 3 February

Community engagement activities at Maude Street Mall
Maude Street, Shepparton from 2.30pm - 3.00pm

Intra-club practice match
Deakin Reserve, Shepparton from 5.30pm - 7.30pm

Membership and merchandise facilities will be available for supporters at the club's intra-club match. Supporters who visit the merchandise marquee and register their details at the match will go into the draw to win a signed Essendon jumper.

Thursday 4 February

Auskick super clinic and autograph session at Rumbalara Football Club
Mercury Drive, Shepparton from 4.00pm - 5.30pm

Supporters aged 5-12 years old who would like to participate in the Auskick super clinic and autograph session can register for the event from the following website http://www.essendonfc.com.au/supporters/sheppclinic2010.asp

Numbers are strictly limited.

- Released 1 February