Bombers to remember “Reidy”
Cal Gardner, Fran Reid and Josh Suckling with commemorative jerseys to be auctioned Saturday for Good Talk Foundation
Marrar to remember former player Graeme Reid and raise awareness for mental health
Daily Advertiser – Matt Malone
ONE of the Farrer League’s great characters will be remembered when Marrar holds their very own ‘Reidy’s Round’ at Langtry Oval on Saturday.
Talented Marrar footballer Graeme Reid tragically took his own life last November and the Bombers will remember him – and raise awareness for mental health – against Coleambally.
Marrar’s first grade footballers will wear specially designed guernseys to mark the occasion, while netballers will also wear one-off bibs. The guernseys will be auctioned off on Saturday night at Marrar Hotel as part of a fundraiser for ‘Good Talk’, a charity set up recently by Graeme’s family to raise funds for research into bipolar disorder.
The day was instigated by the Marrar playing group to remember their great mate, but also raise awareness about mental health and encourage those who are struggling to speak up. “It’s about two sides. It’s about celebrating Graeme’s life, and raising awareness about mental health,” Marrar assistant coach Cal Gardner said. “(Graeme’s passing) affected a lot of people. And it’s not just our club, he knew a lot of people in Wagga, and at other clubs, so it’s affecting them as well. Everyone knew him.”
Marrar captain Josh Hagar said many of the Bombers’ playing group are still coming to terms with the loss of their great mate. “More than you’d think too, I reckon. There’s a lot of players that are still putting on a brave face,” Hagar said. “He had a massive impact. Just the way he went about it. He was an infectious character. “He could make a cold, rainy night at training fun somehow. He lit the place up.”
Reid kicked 131 goals from 69 games for Marrar. He was an explosive, unpredictable forward that had an appetite for kicking goals.
“He was rare. He had the ability to flip the game on it’s head, change the game,” Gardner said. “He loved a good goal celebration. He loved a big crowd, putting a show on. “He would light the place up. He brought a spark, both on the footy field and socially as well.”
It was off the field where he made his biggest impact.
“He was a real good bloke to be around,” his good mate Joel Robinson said. “You enjoyed being around him and he made everyone have a good time.”
The best-on-ground on Saturday will be awarded the Graeme Reid Medal. The auction will get away at 6.30pm on Saturday night.
