Former player Alan Noonan’s spirits have been lifted by a visit to the Essendon change rooms.

Despite battling ill health, Noonan, 63, was determined to see his beloved Bombers in the rooms before the game against the Western Bulldogs.

 John Birt, a former teammate and coach, said the visit had given Noonan a real lift.

“It was something he really wanted to do and it was really brave going to the football in a wheelchair and he wasn’t afraid to show himself out there even though he has lost so much weight,” Birt said.

“He has been suffering from cancer for a very long time and he thought he had it under control after treatment, but then he just found out things aren’t going too well and he didn’t have a long time to live.”

 “The Essendon Football Club means so much to him and he’s got red and black running through his veins, so it was a special moment for him.”

Noonan is regarded as one of Essendon’s greatest ever centre half forwards playing 182 games and kicking 420 goals. Over 10 years from 1966 to 1976, he was vice-captain in 1974 and 1975, and was selected in the State side in 1967, 1968, 1972 and 1973.

“He was a brilliant and skilful footballer,” Birt said.

“He actually had offers from a number of clubs but one day he came home from work and John Coleman was sitting in his lounge room so it was because of John Coleman he came to Essendon”

On behalf of the Essendon family, the club would like to wish Alan and his family all the best during this time.