Countless amazing fans support Essendon and few can doubt the commitment of one 15-year member, Ben Stockdale.
Despite hailing from Perth, Stockdale rarely misses the club’s traditional ANZAC Day clash with Collingwood and this year was to be no exception.
But rather than flying across to Melbourne, Stockdale decided to ditch the wings for wheels and a drive to remember.
“I’ve come to every Anzac Day for quite a few years now and I think I worked out I’ve flown to Melbourne about 27 times for the footy since 2006,” Stockdale said on Thursday.
“I’ve got the sort of vehicle where it’s pretty well set up and well equipped, so I thought ‘it won’t hurt to drive over once and see a bit of the country’.”
Stockdale certainly saw more than just a bit of the country, embarking on one of the longest road trips between Australian capital cities.
“It was 3500kms, so it took us near on four days. We were doing about 1000kms a day.
“The last day was pretty slow, so it was good to get into Melbourne.”
Stockdale didn’t do it alone, however. He had terrific support from a good friend on the long journey across to Melbourne.
“My mate Mike is an Eagles fan, but I actually convinced him to wear an Essendon guernsey to the game yesterday.
“He drove over with me and he’s flying back on Monday, so I’ll be driving home by myself.”
While the first part of the committed fan’s two-game trip didn’t go to plan, Stockdale assured that if the Bombers can defeat Melbourne on Sunday he will have the club’s song ready to go for the long way home.
“I’ve actually got it on my USB stick, so I’ll definitely crank it on the way out if we get up against the Dees.”
