Bombers star knows ‘resilient’ fans will be cheering them on
ESSENDON veteran David Zaharakis says his biggest regret heading into the Round 1 lockout is the club’s fans being forced to sit out the opener as the AFL moves to head off the coronavirus.
The star Bomber said he was devastated for the club’s fans, who had stuck tight with the club during dark times with the drugs scandal, yet found themselves on the receiving end again.
Essendon is to meet Fremantle at Marvel Stadium on Saturday at 1.45pm.
“They’re completely different, but the one thing this club is, it’s a very resilient place,”
Zaharakis said.
“We’ve got some great people who work here and obviously our fans are very resilient people.
“They’ve been through a lot with this footy club over the last sort of six, seven, eight years and it’s shattering that they can’t come and support us at Round 1.
“But I know watching at home or (when) they sort of see you from a couple of metres away in the street, they give us their support.”
The 207-game veteran said while it would be tremendous to get back on the paddock, the Essendon players were aware of the significance of the coronavirus pandemic.
“This situation is way bigger than football and hopefully we can get through this as a club because we are a strong united club,” Zaharakis said.
Zaharakis famously refused the needles during the players’ supplements program that would eventually bring the club to its knees when a total of 34 Bombers players were banned for 12 months.
Meanwhile, Essendon’s tall stocks have received a timely boost with lead ruckman Tom Bellchambers cleared to play.
Bellchambers underwent knee surgery in early February that put his availability for round one in doubt, but if the season goes ahead, he’ll be ready to lead the ruck division.
Essendon’s coach John Worsfold said he had no problem with the season proceeding as planned given the health checks put in place.
THIS SITUATION IS WAY BIGGER THAN FOOTBALL AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS AS A CLUB...
DAVID ZAHARAKIS