In what’s been touted the suburban football spectacle of the year, a crowd of 2,500 packed Melbourne’s Whitehorse Reserve yesterday as Brendan ‘Fev’ Fevola and Dave Hughes pulled on the boots for struggling VAFA club the Eley Park Sharks.
As part of a mission by The Fox Breakfast team of Fifi, Fev & Nick to support struggling local footy clubs, Fev was loaned the Sharks to help the battling local side turn its fortunes around.
And while the scoreboard didn’t quite go the Sharks’ way, the event still delivered a major boost for the club and local community.
In front of the biggest crowd in the club’s history, the Sharks pushed St Mary’s Salesian all the way before narrowly falling short, 11.9 (75) to 11.13 (79).
Playing in VAFA Thirds Division 5 Men’s and with co-host Fifi Box cheering from the sidelines, Fev kicked five goals, including three n the first quarter.
Hughesy – making his much-publicised return to footy after suffering five broken ribs and a punctured lung in last year’s AFL Legends Match – drew cheers from the crowd after slotting a goal from close range.
At half-time, Amy Shark delivered a special live performance which transformed the local ground into a full-scale entertainment event, with players from the opposing St Mary’s side even sneaking out of the rooms to watch the set.
Eley Park recorded the highest attendance in its history, canteen sales increased by more than 400%, more than 100 kilograms of chips were sold, and fundraising reached record levels for the local club.
Pre-game, Hughesy said “I’m going to be there and play but I’m slightly nervous … I’m not going to lie.”
Fev: “This is our Grand Final! One and done!”
Hughesy: “I know, I need to make the most of it. I’m going to go flat out, but I don’t want to be targeted. I want to wear a Go-Pro on my forehead!”
Listen to Fifi, Fev & Nick on Melbourne’s 101.9 The Fox from 6-9am weekdays, also on LiSTNR. Fifi, Fev & Nick can also be heard nationally across The Hit Network during ‘The Happy Hour’ from 6pm to 7pm.