By David Kavanagh | posted on June 21, 2019
CROWDS of footy fans flooded Sounness Park in Mount Barker last week when a duo of West Coast Eagles premiership players visited the town for a fundraising catch up.
Dom Sheed and retired star Mark Lecras shared advice and stories from the field with fans and players as part of the three-hour event, which raised more than $1700 for the Mount Barker Bulls Football Club.
Club President Dean Wallinger said it was a pretty big deal for a town like Mount Barker to host players of such quality.
“I think it’s great, you don’t normally get that here,” he said.
“They relived the grand final and how it unfolded, which was really interesting, and they shared a little bit about themselves and how they made it through their footy careers.”
Many West Coast supporters herald Sheed as a hero of the 2018 AFL grand final.
The popular midfielder kicked the winning goal at the September clash that saw the Eagles defeat Collingwood by five points.
Mr Wallinger said Sheed and Lecras took the time to meet local junior players before the official event commenced at 7pm.
“Dom and Mark spoke to the 14s, 16s and colts about what they had to do to get where they did,” he recalled.
“The young ones also brought footballs and jumpers and stuff down and the boys were happy to sign that for them after they had a chat.”
West Coast player Daniel Venables was also expected to attend the June 11 event but had to cancel due to an injury.
The club will host football commentator Sam Newman next month.
