Crows help Close the Gap
Graham Johncock, Jared Petrenko, Richard Tambling and Cam Ellis-Yolmen made a special visit to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital recently to help promote awareness of the ‘Close the Gap’ program.
The aim of the nationwide campaign is to close the health and life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians within a generation.
The Crows quartet answered questions, signed autographs, mingled with guests and enjoyed a BBQ lunch held in Pridmore Gardens. The event was held to help recognise the importance of holistic care and community support - essential elements of the Close the Gap campaign.
Aboriginal Patient Pathway Officer and event organiser Natalie McCabe said the guests enjoyed mixing with their Crows heroes.
“We invited the players to attend our event to encourage community attendance and promote healthy Aboriginal role models to the wider community,” Ms McCabe said.
“Having the players onsite for autographs, photo opportunities and just mingling at the information stalls brought such a positive vibe to our event and everyone was so excited to have them attend.”
Little Lynchy
Tom Lynch and partner Courtney received a pre-season present last month, welcoming baby Koby into the world. Mum, dad and baby are all doing well, but the trio hasn’t received much support from Lynch’s Crows teammates.
“None of the boys have put their hands up for nappy changes or anything like that. The girls have all been around helping Courts, which is nice. The boys have been pretty slack. Sam Shaw baked us some cookies, but that’s about it,” Lynch said.
“It’s definitely been an eye-opener, but we’re very excited. It was great to get Koby home. Courtney is settled back at home now and it’s certainly been a lot of fun so far.”
Sign here, please
Chaos ensued in the Westpac Centre last week as the Shed Floor was covered with tables of merchandise for the Club’s annual ‘super signing session’. It took the majority of the squad an hour to sign all the required cards, posters, footballs and guernseys. Brenton Sanderson and Nathan van Berlo had the permanent markers in hand a little longer, signing all the ‘captain and coach’ items as well. The signed goods will be used for various charities, corporate and Club events throughout the year.
Players work their way through the rows of merchandise to be signed
Crows join coaching ranks
The Henley High team will have two secret weapons this season, with Jared Petrenko and Brodie Smith assisting Paul Whaley with the coaching duties. Whaley is an institution of the specialised football program, having coached both Petrenko and Smith in their junior days. Cam Ellis-Yolmen and Nick Joyce are also products of the Henley system. The Sharks have been an excellent breeding ground for AFL talent, successfully fostering the development of players, including Paul Stewart (Port Adelaide), Scott Lycett (West Coast), Jared Polec (Brisbane) and Rhys Stanley (St Kilda).
