ELEVEN-year-old Jake Boyd’s dreams came true yesterday, when he kicked the footy with Carlton players Marc Murphy and Bryce Gibbs.
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The Blues fan won the chance to have two players come to his house and share a kick-to-kick as part of a competition run by the Bendigo Advertiser.
Jake’s dad Paul said his son could not believe his ears when he was told over the phone on Thursday he would meet two of his beloved Blues.
“He gave me the phone because he [Jake] didn’t understand what the guy was talking about,” Paul said.
“We were halfway through tea and I can tell you we didn’t finish much tea that night.”
Jake said he had donned the navy blue and white guernsey ever since he could remember thanks to his dad, who is also a die-hard fan Carlton fan.
“I didn’t get a choice,” he said. “Dad made me.”
When the players arrived Jake took them to the backyard for a kick-to-kick, which featured high flying speccies and lots of hip and shouldering.
During the questionnaire Jake asked the players a range of questions, including who they thought would be given the duty of captain this year.
When Jake was asked who his favourite player was, he immediately pointed to Murphy, before
hastily adding that he liked Gibbs as well.
Afterwards Jake took the players to see the family pig, Boris, before returning to the house to get some autographs.
Jake said kicking the football with his idols was one of the best experiences of his life and he hoped to be a professional football player when he grew up.
“I’d like to play for Carlton,” he said.
Jake’s mum, Jane, said her son had always wanted to have a navy blue and white feature wall with the Carlton emblem printed across the surface.
“After today I think we might just have to let him,” she said.
Jake said he was excited about going to school and sharing the special experience with his friends.
As the players were driving away, Paul’s mobile phone rang. No surprises for guessing the ringtone – the Carlton Football Club theme song, of course.