Above right: Paige, Karen, Denise and Ryan wait with anticipation to see Collingwood captain Nathan Buckley in Narre Warren.
By Rebecca Fraser
CHAMPION Magpie Nathan Buckley swooped into Narre Warren yesterday to unveil a plaque in his honour.
His visit coincided with news that the City of Casey had secured a NAB pre-season Cup match next year at the multi-million dollar Casey Fields sport complex.
While the Collingwood captain and star midfielder was officially unveiling his plaque at the Narre Warren Brownlow Medal Walk of Fame, mayor Kevin Bradford was busy trying to secure the city’s first AFL match.
Cr Bradford met with AFL officials in Melbourne yesterday (Wednesday) morning to discuss holding the pre-season match at the Cranbourne East sports complex.
He said the meeting was positive and Casey Fields would host a round two match next year.
Cr Bradford said the AFL was yet to determine which teams would take to the field in Cranbourne, but it would most likely be two Melbourne-based clubs.
“The AFL just needs to look at the ground logistics to see if the ground is capable of holding an AFL match,” Cr Bradford said.
“They are confident of this and are already looking towards having the round two match there. It is as good as a done deal.”
Cr Bradford said the event would be a big coup for the City of Casey and Cranbourne.
He predicted the match could attract a crowd of more than 10,000 and said it would give residents the chance to watch live AFL football in their own city.
“It is huge news. It further cements Cranbourne as the sporting capital of south east Melbourne,” Cr Bradford said.
“This will give people the opportunity to go to a high-standard game in their own back yard and will be of huge benefit to the Cranbourne economy.”
