Above: Emerald Football Club’s numberone supporter Troy Wright is carried from the ground after his debut in the reserves team at the weekend.By Brad Kingsbury
SENTIMENT in football is becoming less prevalent as players and clubs pursue success at all costs, however that was not the case at Emerald on Saturday.
When popular, lifelong Bomber Troy Wright took the field late in the final term and made his way to the forward pocket, the ground erupted in cheers.
When Troy slotted through the team’s eighth goal soon after, many of the cheers became tears of joy.
Troy, 18, has cerebral palsy and has watched and supported his club from the sidelines with his father Wayne (also a former Bomber) as his brother Steve and cousins Wes and Ben battled it out on field week inweek out.
Last week club officials led by president Bill Kuys decided that a disappointing season needed to finish with a highlight and registered Troy as a player and reregisterd Wayne in the hope that an opportunity for the pair to join Steve, Wes and Ben on the field would present itself.
That happened after Emerald’s opponent Yarra Junction had the match well in its keeping in the final term.
Troy was given the nod and took the field for the final part of the last quarter.
After he made his way to the forward pocket his Emerald teammates moved the ball forward in an effort to give him a touch and the crowd rose when he was accidentally tripped and given a free kick in front of goal.
That was followed by a roar from both sides when Troy lined up and kicked truly, with his teammates (and opponents) rushing from all parts of the ground to congratulate the smiling youngster.
The Wright family was thrilled after the game and, despite the side’s loss, celebrations were enthusiastic and the game of football was the winner.
Kuys thanked the Yarra Junction players and Yarra Junction Football Club for making the occasion possible and praised the football community for keeping its perspective and allowing Troy to experience an alltime sporting highlight despite his disabilities.
