In an unexpected turn during this AFL season, Prince Harry made a surprise appearance at Whitten Oval, joining Western Bulldogs players Adam Treloar, Matt Kennedy, and Tom Liberatore for a kick of the footy. This event, which took place on a Wednesday, was part of a broader Movember initiative aimed at promoting awareness around men’s mental health.
As the Duke of Sussex engaged in some light-hearted footy action, the cheerful tunes of The Wiggles played in the background, contributing to an atmosphere that was anything but typical for a mid-week training session. Kennedy, attempting to present a Bulldogs scarf to Harry, confessed he felt too anxious to follow through with the gesture, leading to a missed opportunity.
Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge expressed his disappointment that many team members, including himself, missed the chance to meet the royal visitor. He shared his respect for Harry, particularly due to his military background, having served a decade in the army and undertaken two deployments to Afghanistan. Beveridge noted, “It would have been great” to shake his hand.
The decision to involve Treloar, Kennedy, and Liberatore was deliberate, focusing on fatherhood as a commonality among the three players. Beveridge highlighted that their roles as dads made them ideal representatives for the meeting with Prince Harry. Although he could only observe from a distance, Beveridge acknowledged the unique presence Harry brought, saying he felt there was still an “aura” about him, despite not being a monarchy enthusiast.
As the Bulldogs gear up for their match against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium, Liberatore, currently recovering from a hamstring injury, is expected to make his return to the team.