Collingwood’s Community Football Team have secured back-to-back premierships after defeating Geelong on Wednesday afternoon in the Reclink Australia Grand Final.
They ran out 56-point winners in adverse weather conditions at ETU Stadium to put an exclamation point on another faultless season that they went undefeated through.
The day began with a Grand Final breakfast at the AIA Vitality Centre, where Club CEO Craig Kelly inspired the team with his words of encouragement.
“The club will continue to support our community and that’s one of our key pillars,” Kelly said.
“We’re here to win together and that’s what we want to do.
“I wish you all the best, I can’t thank you enough and just look after yourselves. Goodluck today.”
The program is about more than just football, supporting young people and adults that might be struggling in the community.
Helping engage them through the Club’s community team is one of the many benefits to both the players’ physical and mental wellbeing.
A number of supporters travelled to watch the decider, including a big contingent of Collingwood’s AFLW players.
They were treated to a special performance, with the Pies simply too good from the outset to secure a second straight flag.
The team’s long-serving captain, Julian Brooks, was elated to lead his side to glory once again and spoke of the positive impact the Club was having on his teammates.
“You see a lot of young, vulnerable kids that haven’t had much support at home and having them in the program and watching them grow (has been great),” he said.
“I jumped over because I was living closer to Collingwood and since then it’s always felt like home.”
The team were well supported by head coach Shane Williams and assistant coach Daniel Wells, with the latter’s AFL experience a great learning opportunity for players all year.
