AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL
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AFL great Kevin Sheedy's dream to recognise Riverina's best football talent will come to reality next year with confirmation a gala event will be held in Wagga in March.
After being discussed for more than two years, the idea of a Riverina Team of the Century will come to life and be unveiled at a gala function on Friday, March 20 at Murrumbidgee Turf Club.
Greater Western Sydney (GWS) chief operating officer Richard Griffiths was in Wagga on Wednesday meeting with stakeholders to get the function off the ground with the event to be held in conjunction with AFL House.
Up to 250 guests are expected to attend the function with some of the biggest names in the AFL set to return to the Riverina to speak at the function.
Griffiths was pleased to see Sheedy's idea come to life.
"As Kevin Sheedy talks about, there is not anything to recognise the champion players from the Riverina region," Griffiths said.
"This is a way of thanking the volunteers and clubs that have developed the game and players over the years.
"Sheedy also continually says that it's something that's well overdue and we're excited to be partnering with the AFL to run the event.
"We would like the community to get behind it."
Sheedy will headline the selection committee and will be joined by Greg Carroll, Brian Quade and Paul Habel.
The exact criteria for selection is being determined with a squad of 50 expected to be released early in the new year.
A coach, captain and even an umpire are set to be named.
Southern NSW AFL regional manager Jason McPherson expects the event to be a huge hit for Riverina football supporters.
"I'm excited because of the timing of it, just before the start of the season," McPherson said.
"It also reinforces what the Giants have been saying for the last three years about their presence in Wagga, even though the Wagga City Council agreement has expired.
"This is one of four or five headline promotions that will help grow the game and launch the season."
For the Giants, it will be the first of three significant events is as many days in Wagga and Canberra.
The Riverina Team of the Century function will be followed by its annual ACT Fan day in Canberra on Saturday.
The Giants will then tackle Sydney Swans in both club's final pre-season fixture at Manuka Oval on Sunday.
More details about the gala function will be released in coming weeks.