Daniel Kerr’s CSU appearance was underwhelming and his impact on the game negligible but the Bushpigs have no regrets about bringing the former West Coast star to town.
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The club turned the guest appearance into an event – attracting a $4500 gate and good catering sales – and the Pigs rode the wave with an upset win over East Wagga-Kooringal.
“He probably drew the crowd and and was the attraction but it was our players who did the heavy lifting,” CSU president Tristan Robinson said. “I’d much rather have it that way – that our guys did it without him really.
“With a good crowd there it was a great opportunity and an important night for the club in showing what we’re trying to do and changing the perception of us as cellar-dwellers.”
Robinson said the players enjoyed the win – their first over EWK in four years – but the celebrations weren’t over the top with the focus firmly on chasing a finals spot this year.
Kerr spent most of the night on a half-forward-flank but was rarely involved, with just 12 mostly ineffective touches. He said after the match that he had struggled with soreness.
“Just a tough night, my body wasn’t moving very well and, tell you what, you can tell (Wagga’s) close to Sydney – they tackle well,” Kerr said.
But CSU hopes his visit has helped launch a new chapter, with carloads of football fans travelling to watch the game, including a number from Albury and ex-Bushpigs from Sydney.
The CSU huddles were a highlight with a finals-like atmosphere around coach Daniel Athanitis, who had maintained for weeks that winning was what mattered most.
The club also paid tribute to a Bushpigs legend, the late Paul ‘Ocky’ Greenwood with a minute’s silence before the game.
