TWO Riverina footballers will live out every kid’s dream on Saturday when they run out onto the hallowed turf of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
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Marrar’s Chris O’Donnell and Collingullie-Glenfield Park’s Jaidyn Wild will both play in a curtain raiser to Dreamtime at the ‘G.
Before Richmond and Essendon do battle in the annual indigenous round clash, O’Donnell and Wild will strut their stuff on the MCG.
Both men were selected in the Rio Tinto Footy Means Business squad, a program that provides talent and employment opportunities for 50 young Indigenous men from all over Australia.
O’Donnell, 23, dislocated his shoulder in Marrar’s win over East Wagga-Kooringal last Saturday week but will not let injury stand in the way of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
“I’ll strap up the shoulder and away we go,” O’Donnell said.
“I can’t wait. It’s going to be an awesome experience, only one you dream of, I guess.
“I’m really proud to be representing my culture and family.”
The men originally attended a camp in Darwin, where the squad was reduced to 50.
They then met in Melbourne on Tuesday, where they have toured Etihad Stadium, Channel Seven and met the likes of Matt Richardson and Brian Taylor.
They will get toured around Essendon and Richmond later in the week, before the game on Saturday.
