Kinglake set for a red-hot go

By Tania Martin
BLACKENED trees ringing the Kinglake football oval will provide a poignant backdrop to the inaugural Rise From The Ashes clash between the fire-devastated town and rival Emerald on Saturday.
The match will form an emotional curtain-raiser to the Yarra Valley Mountain District Football League’s 2009 season.
The match, instigated by Emerald, has already captured the imagination of footy fans throughout Victoria.
Premier John Brumby and his ministers will help out on the gate, while federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett will sing Advance Australia Fair in the lead-up to the senior clash.
But this is much more than just a game of footy. It’s a way of giving the fire-ravaged Kinglake region a boost as the local community starts on the long journey to recovery.
Before the clash players, officials and supporters will pause to remember the victims of Black Saturday during an official ceremony scheduled for 1.45pm in front of the pavilion.
Kinglake’s new football manager, Rick Wall, said club supporter and sponsor Ross Buchanan would sing during the ceremony. Mr Buchanan lost two children on Black Saturday.
Mr Wall said the community would also stop to remember two AusKick players who perished in the fire.
“A rose will be planted in memory of all the local children who perished so tragically,” he said.
Emerald and Kinglake will play for a special CFA cup and shield, donated by the Bombers.
Both sides hope the match will become an annual event.
Emerald football manager Graham Steer said the club hoped the match would kick off a great season for the Bombers. But he said Saturday’s match was about more than just playing footy.
“Many of the boys they will be seeing the devastation in Kinglake for the very first time,” Mr Steer said. “We have a pretty young squad and we just don’t know how they are going to cope with it all.”
Mr Steer said the match was likely to receive national attention, which would also be a challenge for Emerald players.
“They will walk onto a ground where everyone will be barracking for Kinglake … It will be a game like no other.“
All Kinglake wants to do is kick a goal and turn around and see all their supporters cheering – it gives them back a bit of normality.”
Mr Steer said Emerald was looking strong for season 2009 and players would have to fight week by week for a spot in the senior side. “We have 49 to 50 senior players this season … players are going to miss out,” he said. “This is the strongest we have ever been.”
He said the team was also the fittest it had ever been after a pre-season of bootcamp style training.
Mr Steer said the club was now hoping to translate that into a premiership flag.
Kinglake coach Mick Nott said that despite an interrupted preseason, the players were hoping to do their community proud this season.
“The boys have been determined to get back on track,” he said.
Mr Nott said the community support had been amazing. Since Black Saturday, the club had become a great meeting point and also a place for inspiration.
“We have had people – parents and children – cheering us on at training,” Mr Nott said.
Mr Nott said although his team was starting the season less prepared than other sides, it had spurred the club on to get back on the field.
“The tenacity of the boys is amazing … they’re determined to come through this and do well for themselves and the community,” he said.
Mr Nott said the first goal for Kinglake Football Club was getting on the field and despite everything that had happened, the club was still aiming for grand final berth.
He said the players were hoping to go one better this year and bring home the premiership flag.
Saturday’s action will start at 10.15am with the under-18s.
Visitors and locals are warned that parking at the ground is limited. Extra parking will be available off Extons Road.