“I’ve been a North supporter for 80 years, I started going to the footy when I was ten.”
Doreen, 87 and Joe, 76 sit side by side. They’re in the care of Blue Cross Community and Residential Services and are accompanied by caretakers Christine Fisher and Maree Dunn.
Joe had a stroke, which resulted in the loss of his ability to talk. Before the stroke, he had gone to every single North Melbourne home game, and although his life has drastically changed since the stroke, he remains an avid Roos' fan.
Doreen's entire family were Collingwood fans, but that didn't stop her barracking for North for the last 80 years.
You can understand why a surprise visit to Arden Street would be so special for Doreen and Joe.
“They didn’t know where we were going,” Christine told North Media.
“It was only as we wheeled them around to the oval and they saw the blue and white that they figured it out. They both teared up. And Doreen hasn’t stopped smiling since we got here.”
Sitting watching the players training, Doreen started sharing her favorite memories of footy.
“The final in 1977. We were up against Collingwood. My entire family were Collingwood supporters. Surrounded by them. And we [North Melbourne] started off strong, but then Collingwood came back and got a 20 something point lead. All the fans were so rude, and drinking champagne and already celebrating.
“But we came back ... and in the end we won. I remember talking to one of the Collingwood fans who was all glum, and I asked ‘what, Is your champagne flat?’. Such a good game!”
Both Doreen and Joe were smiling constantly as they watched the session.
“This means so much, that you all as a club take the time to meet with us,” Christine said.
“Joe doesn’t ever leave the house anymore. So this is huge.”
Doreen and Joe sat in their wheelchairs by the side of the oval, and as training ended, player after player walked by and stopped to say hello, take a photo, sign a poster, and chat to their adoring fans.
As Todd Goldstein walked by, Doreen wished him luck and told him that she has been a proud North supporter since the late 60’s.
“Well I hope we make you proud again this season,” the North ruckman said.
Doreen responded with a smile, “oh, you will.”
