Dunnstown Football Netball Club has declared the fixture with Newlyn this weekend will go ahead despite the shock death of much-loved player Lachlan Poulter.
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Poulter died on Saturday after the Central Highlands Football League reserves clash with Learmonth when he collapsed and could not be revived.
Dunnstown footballers and netballers met for usual training on Tuesday night, but instead headed indoors where they spoke with a councillor and listened to words from club president Shane Murphy and senior coach Justin Abrams.
“It’s just case of everyone being together,” Murphy said.
Murphy told The Courier the club was planning to honour Poulter this Saturday by encouraging players and supporters to wear Sydney Swans beanies to the game against the Cats.
He said Poulter was often seen wearing his red and white beanie and felt it was a fitting tribute to a man he described as “the most popular bloke in the club”.
“He was always wearing a Swans beanie. It was a bit quirky and we all thought it was,” Murphy said.
The CHFL has asked senior and reserves players to wear black arm bands this Saturday, with footballers from junior grades also welcome.
A minute silence will be held at the Dunnstown versus Newlyn fixture, after the reserves game has concluded to give all senior grade players the opportunity to be on the ground together.
The league has asked all clubs to follow suit across the competition.
Murphy expressed his gratitude to the CHFL board and its clubs – particularly Learmonth – for the support and compassion shown at such a difficult time.
Saturday’s game against Newlyn is a big one for Dunnstown, with the senior side just two points outside the top eight.
