Sport
4 May, 2023
Weekend with Bernie an occasion to remember for Rovers
Maryborough Rovers are set to have a weekend to remember in their last season before their slated amalgamation with Royal Park, securing the services of former Adelaide and Melbourne champion Bernie Vince for their round nine clash with Campbells...
Maryborough Rovers are set to have a weekend to remember in their last season before their slated amalgamation with Royal Park, securing the services of former Adelaide and Melbourne champion Bernie Vince for their round nine clash with Campbells Creek.
Vince, who played 229 AFL games, winning best and fairests for both Adelaide in 2009 and Melbourne in 2015, was drafted with pick five in Carlton and United Breweries’ The Carlton Draft program, which was broadcast live on Fox Footy on Wednesday night.
Rovers were a big part of the night, participating in a pick swap with Murrabit FNC as part of the drama of the draft.
Vince was one of six players to participate, alongside Collingwood Brownlow Medallist Nathan Buckley, Fremantle champion David Mundy, Sydney star Josh Kennedy, Hawthorn four-time premiership player Jordan Lewis and Port Adelaide star, as well as media personality Kane Cornes.
Rovers president, Daniel Wiseman, enjoyed the spectacle.
“It was a bit of fun doing the whole thing on TV, which was all part of the drama for the night,” he said.
“We were given a list to put the players in the order we wanted, and Bernie Vince was up there. We were down the order a little bit, but that’s how we ended up with him. We are excited about his inclusion. We’re very happy to say the least.”
There is a Rovers link to Vince’s impending arrival at the club.
From 2016 to 2018, Vince was part of the Melbourne squad which also had Rovers’ own Troy Chaplin link up as an assistant coach with the club.
Vince has remained part of the football landscape since his retirement in 2018, with the 37-year-old becoming a panelist on popular Fox Footy variety television program Bounce, as well as on radio at Triple M’s Adelaide studios on weekdays on The Rush Hour.
Wiseman confirmed that Vince will line up for the club in their round nine clash with Campbells Creek, saying that it was fitting that Creek would be involved again, just as they were last year when Alex Rance donned the white V for a one-off game with the club.
“It will be beneficial to both clubs. I’ve already reached out to Campbells Creek, just to confirm a couple of things as far as the fixture goes, and they said it was fitting, since they had it last year, and they’ll be a part of it again this year, just on the other side this time around. It’s exciting for both of us,” he said.
The Carlton Draft program was beneficial to participating country clubs last season, with Rance kicking three goals for Creek in their 92-point loss to Maldon. Elsewhere, Dale Thomas helped Nhill FNC claim their first win in 1029 days.
While Rovers have been on the improve this season, claiming their first victory since 2021 in the opening round against Avoca, they were still picked as one of the six successful clubs out of over 300 entries.
Wiseman said that it will be an exciting weekend to welcome Vince as they celebrate what is set to be their last season in the Maryborough Castlemaine District Football Netball League.
“It’s another good opportunity to celebrate the club this year, which is part of what it’s all about for 2023, going out on a high and having an ex-AFL player playing for us is all part of it,” he said.
“We haven’t spoken too much about what Bernie will do yet, as we’ve just gone through the draft process, but as far as I know, he’ll probably be there on the day.
“The boys were all up and about in our group chat, of course they’ll be excited and they’re looking forward to the day.”
Wiseman said that Vince will be around the club throughout the entire day, hanging around post-game to mingle with supporters.
“Bernie will arrive in the middle of the day and hang around through the night. He won’t just be there to play football, he’ll also be there to celebrate the day and be a part of it, with these guys giving back to the clubs who haven’t had the greatest on-field success. To have a day like this in our last year is very exciting,” he said.
