Weekly Times | ALEC Kenneally is a passionate Tigers man — and got his own chance to don the yellow and black on Saturday.
The 12-year-old, who has Down Syndrome, played his first ever football match, in the Mid Gippsland under-16s for Mirboo North against Yinnar.
There was barely a dry eye in the house when he emulated his favourite player, Richmond’s Jack Riewoldt, and kicked a goal on the final siren.
Mirboo North won 15.8 (98) to 8.5 (53) meaning Alec also was able to belt out the song with his fellow Tigers.
His mum, Leanne Kenneally, said she was “very emotional”, especially when Alec kicked the goal.
Robyn Raeburn, who Leanne has known for six years and was Alec’s aide at Hazelwood North Primary School, and Mirboo North under-16 coach Jack Oddy organised the day.
“Robyn got in contact with me and said Jack is going to organise for Alec to play the last game of the home-and-away season,” Leanne said.
“He loves his football, he loves his Richmond Tigers, Richmond Tigers are his team ... Jack Riewoldt is his favourite player.”
Linc Oddy was in the under-16 side with Alec, and older brother Riley Oddy was also at Alec’s side throughout the game. In return, Alec was there to high-five all the senior players — Riley included — as they ran out on to the ground and cheered on the Tigers to a 37-point win.
Leanne said Alec was involved with a program called Interchange, which helped out kids with special needs and their families. Interchange Gippsland is celebrating its 30th year this year.
Alec spends time with a host family through Interchange, and this weekend was also supposed to be going on an excursion with Interchange’s holiday options program.
But Leanne said Alec now planned to head back to the football to watch Mirboo North as the Tigers’ seniors and under-16s — the Oddys’ teams — are in qualifying finals at Boolarra on Saturday.
By Hannah Driscoll