Heartwarming moment young football fan who DEFIED medical experts breaks through the crowd to give his hero Alistair Clarkson a big hug
- North and Carlton played a Good Friday Appeal match
- Raised money for the Royal Children’s Hospital
- The young fan showed immense gratitude to Clarkson
North Melbourne’s loss to Carlton on Good Friday was put into perspective by a heartwarming post-match hug between Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson and young AFL fan Ollie.
The Kangaroos took on the Blues in the Good Friday Appeal for the Royal Children’s Hospital and although North Melbourne lost, Ollie didn’t care.
The seven-year-old endured a slew of surgeries and was not expected to survive the past 27 weeks. But thanks to the Royal Children’s Hospital, he is a happy and thriving boy.
And when he got the chance to meet his hero, he didn’t waste a moment.
After an unanswered six-goal blitz by Carlton in the third quarter, Clarkson was seen walking towards the north chambers when Ollie ran up to him in excitement.
Clarkson shared his post-match media conference with young Ollie in heartwarming scenes
Clarkson picked up the seven-year-old, hugged him and kissed him on the head, with the tender moment captured by cameras and photographer Michael Willson.
Ollie, who had undergone multiple surgeries at the Royal Children’s Hospital, joined Clarkson for the post-match press conference.
Clarkson paid tribute to the hospital and its staff and emphasized the importance of the health of the next generation.
“Now you (Ollie) have a beautiful smile on your face. That wasn’t always the case, was it? Because you’ve had a rough seven years,” Clarkson said.
‘Ollie and his family have made the journey from Sale to the Royal Children’s Hospital many times and undergone many surgeries. Now we have such a happy and healthy little boy, which is great.
“He has a beautiful family. He has a brother and a sister, a sensational mother and father who have looked after this little fellow so well and is just one example of many who have gone through the Royal Children’s Hospital.’
Clarkson gives Ollie a warm hug and a kiss on the head after the young fan ran over to greet him following the Good Friday Appeal clash against Carlton
You couldn’t wipe the smile off Ollie’s face, who was not expected to survive the past 27 weeks
Fans were quick to praise the healthy moment.
“This is fantastic content. Too healthy,” one fan posted.
“Huge respect for North Melbourne,” wrote another.
“Beautifully done by both football clubs today,” added another.
Despite the loss of the Kangaroos, the occasion was a success with a record attendance of 49,062 and over $23 million raised for the Good Friday Appeal.
The charity event saw North Melbourne step away from their annual clash against Western Bulldogs to play Carlton.
Carlton coach Michael Voss said his team was ‘quite privileged to be a part of the day’, adding that the event was more about raising much-needed funds for charity than securing a win.
Speaking of the Royal Children’s Hospital, Ollie said it was special because ‘they help you’.
Nine-year-old Claudia poses for a photo with Clarkson and Voss during a Good Friday Appeal AFL media moment at the Royal Children’s Hospital
Once the football ended, the two coaches quickly celebrated what had been a huge opportunity to raise essential funds to help sick children
Carlton coach Voss was also joined by eight-year-old Chiara at his press conference, who said her highlight of the day was walking into Marvel Stadium alongside blues star Adam Saad.
Voss said it was important to get perspective on the game and the club would try to make the fundraiser against North Melbourne an annual event.
“It’s interesting when you have the run-up to the week and you start at the Royal Children’s Hospital on Monday, the perspective you have in football,” he said.
“We think what we’re doing is pretty important, but it’s really important for us to get out there and have a real perspective on where the game really sits and what really matters.
“Then today, to meet everyone who walked through that banner, it was a very special moment. It took us away from footy for a while and allowed us to focus on the really important stuff.”