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Essendon have turned to Cathy Freeman for inspiration ahead of what indigenous defender Nathan Lovett-Murray says has become one of the most significant matches on the AFL calendar.
Freeman yesterday recounted her experiences in winning gold as the major Australian drawcard at the Sydney Olympics to the Bombers as they prepared for Saturday night’s Dreamtime at the G clash with Richmond, the centrepiece of the AFL’s indigenous round.
Bombers coach Matthew Knights said Freeman’s insights on staying focussed under pressure were of enormous benefit to his young squad.
“It wasn’t just related to the indigenous players we had in the room, it was related to all players in the room, because she spoke of goal-setting, remaining focussed, not concerning herself about distractions when she had the torch and played a big role in the build-up,” Knights said.
Indigenous Essendon defender Nathan Lovett-Murray said he ranked the annual Dreamtime clash, now in its fourth season, alongside the club’s traditional Anzac Day meetings with Collingwood.
“I played in my first Dreamtime at the G two years ago and the pride that I get from playing in that game and representing all indigenous people around Australia, it’s one of my highlights of my football career,” he said.
Richmond coach Terry Wallace said the thrilling nature of the contests over the past two seasons in particular had helped stamp the fixture on the AFL calendar.
“(It’s) very, very similar to Anzac Day, it doesn’t matter where the two sides are on the ladder,” Wallace said.
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