By KATH GANNAWAY
AFL operations manager Mark Evans described the Yarra Glen and Yarra Junction football clubs as the “pride of the community and the pride of the AFL”.
At a lunch to celebrate the inaugural Pride Cup at Yarra Glen, Evans said football had the power to bring people together.
“All those qualities that are important in sport – mateship and respect – these are the values that the Pride Cup represents,” he said.
Yarra Glen coach Dean de Munk said values went further than the two clubs playing on the day.
“I had a fantastic message from Warburton’s captain Brendon Murphy that I read out in the clubrooms before the match,” he said.
“Basically, it was we admire Jason, would have him in our team any day, he’s a great footballer and a great person,” de Munk said.
The Pride Cup was about a cause, but it was also very much about the traditional rivalry of two clubs and, there was no mercy shown by Yarra Glen, and no effort spared by Yarra Junction on the field, or on the netball courts where the teams played their A Grade match for the Pride Cup.
Ultimately Yarra Glen came home with enormous pride – and two new trophies to add to their cabinet.
