Debutant family in the house
GWS gun Tom Green might be the first debutant to hear his mother’s voice in the stands, after the AFL backflipped on one component of its stringent stadium lockout laws.
Melanie Green shed a few tears on Wednesday when told she would be forced to watch her son’s big moment on television because of COVID-19.
But the AFL has now ratified a concession which permits access for the immediate family of first-game players.
Green’s mother, father, three younger brothers and girlfriend Cecilia will drive up from Canberra today for a rare good-news story amid the bleak reality of the coronavirus crisis. The chance to hug her son after the final siren has made Melanie Green feel like a winner before a ball is even kicked, though she admits she may need to moderate her behaviour during the game with no crowd around to mask the cheers and screams.
“It’s so exciting. I think I burst Dylan’s [Giants staffer Dylan Addison] eardrum when he called to tell us. I don’t normally scream … but we’re just thrilled and very thankful to the AFL and whoever has organised it so we can be there,” Mrs Green said.
“I would have been prepared to sit there in a HAZMAT suit if I had to. To be able to give him a hug means a lot, it’s been a big journey.
“Normally I pace [watching his games]. I won’t be able to sit down. I’m nervous and excited. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep tonight, hopefully Tom can. We’ll have to try not yell out I think. You get lost in a crowd of 20,000, but they’ll hear us now. We’ll have to be quiet.”
GWS captain Stephen Coniglio’s one piece of advice to 19year-old Green — grandson of Richmond great, Michael — has been to enjoy the moment with his family.
Green has been part of the Giants’ academy since he was 12, and told Coniglio upon being drafted (at No.10) that he was going to play Round 1.
“Not in an arrogant way at all, but in that ‘I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure I get a spot for the first game’,” Coniglio said.
“The way he attacked that first day [of training] and every day since speaks volumes of the player he is and the player he’s going to be for our football club. I spoke to him about enjoying the moment, and for your family, it’s even more special. I made sure he called his mum and dad straight away.”