NEWS Footy in salute to Eurydice
THEIR knees muddy and their arms linked, rival footballers stand in silence around the flowers that are piling up where Eurydice Dixon was killed. The Uni Blacks and St Bernard’s players are sending a message at Princes Park in Melbourne, a place that holds new meaning now.
“Let’s start to show women the respect they deserve, fellas,” one of the young men says, marking the end of the silence.
Aspiring comedian Ms Dixon, 22, was found dead on a field at the popular Carlton North park earlier this week.
The murder has cast a shadow of sadness over the community and sparked a debate about the safety of women.
Ms Dixon was walking home after performing a comedy show at Highlander Bar on Tuesday night when she was raped and killed.
As she approached her home she had reportedly messaged her boyfriend: “I’m almost home safe.”
Jaymes Todd, 19, was charged with her rape and murder after turning himself in to police.
Two local Australian rules teams played at Princes Park on Saturday before joining the chorus of those calling for an end to violence against women.
“Football can be seen as a bit of a man’s game so I think we came over here to show a message,” St Bernard’s footballer Owen McIntyre said.
Melbourne University Blacks player Josh Bowden said his team trained at Princes Park the night Ms Dixon was killed.
“A lot of the blokes spoke about it and it hits close to home,” he said.