We’ll have 22 very special guests joining us this Sunday at the annual ‘Clash for Cancer’ game against Brisbane.

The game, which is now in it’s 11^th year, originated when the club decided to make a stand in support of premiership player Adam Ramanauskas and his battle with cancer.

This year also marks an important milestone for the Club and it’s partnership with ‘Challenge’, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers daily support to children and families living with cancer. 

For the last five years, the Club has welcomed some of the children supported by the organisation to run out through the banner with the team before the game.

However, this is the first time that the players’ have actually had the chance to interact with the kids ahead of the game.

The visit, initiated by the club’s young leaders, allowed the team to spend the morning having a kick with the kids, introducing themselves and learning a bit more about the kids' journeys. 

“It’s been happening for five years but we only get that very brief moment with them on game day,” Essendon forward Joe Daniher said.

“For us to get to know them and be able to put a name and personality to the face just makes the whole experience so much better.

“I think it’s a very exciting moment for them, they’re going to get a chance to get on the surface on the weekend.

“Hopefully it will brighten up their weekend and hopefully we can get the job done for them.”

CEO of Challenge, David Rogers, believes the opportunity to meet the players only added to the experience for the already excited kids. 

With some travelling from as far as Tasmania to take part, Sunday’s game provides the kids with something to look forward to. 

“It’s a hero moment for the kids to enjoy, walking out and feeling the whole atmosphere,” Rogers said.

“These guys go through so much difficulty in hospital and so forth, so to be able to look forward to something – other than hospital routine or just normal routine is something that is really good. 

“I think that the endorphins kick in and they feel better and hopefully it makes going through treatment much easier.”