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WESTERN Bulldog Zaine Cordy says Ballarat’s boutique stadium will be massive for country football – especially juniors.
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Cordy, who hails from Ocean Grove, had the chance to play home games on an AFL surface at Kardinia Park as a Geelong Falcon in elite under-18 football.
The 20-year-old said it was a great feeling running out amid all the grandstands with friends and family watching on. This was a luxury most young footballers in regional Victoria rarely get the chance to experience.
“We had a few Friday night games under lights and all your mates and family come along because they don’t have their own football on – hopefully it will be the same in Ballarat,” Cordy said.
“(Geelong) was one of the best surfaces I’ve ever played on as a kid. I have trained on Mars (Stadium) and it will be great for (the Rebels) to have that chance too.”
The Bulldogs will host the first AFL premiership season game in Ballarat on Saturday.
Cordy played TAC Cup under-18 football at what is now known as Mars Stadium. His memories are of icy cold temperatures and a strong wind, especially near the showgrounds.
The last time he saw the stadium, it was still in the early stages of construction during the Bulldogs’ pre-season camp in Ballarat. He will first get to see the finished product on Friday when the team arrives and he can hardly wait to see the finished product.
“Having a stadium that holds 11,000 people is pretty good,” Cordy said. “Hopefully we can use it such as Hawthorn does its ground in Launceston where they’re so hard to beat...We play games in Cairns, and it’s always a bit different going to those smaller grounds.”
Cordy said it was exciting to be jumping in the car and travelling to Ballarat, instead of Etihad Stadium or the MCG, for something different. The club will treat the match a little like an interstate fixture, travelling to town the day before, eating dinner together and staying overnight.
Cordy was keen for the Bulldogs to really put on a show for regional Victoria and to build on the club’s hard work in community development programs.
SEND THE ‘DOGS YOUR SUPPORT
The Courier has offered inspiration the past two months in its Adopt A Dog campaign the past two months, helping you find a player to cheer on AFL game day regardless of your usual footy colours.
Leave Western Bulldogs’ players a personal message of support below and The Courier will collate and deliver to the team.
“I look forward to reading all your messages,” Cordy said.
