Gather Round kicks off at Norwood Oval

Gather Round is in full swing at Norwood Oval, with North Melbourne and the Brisbane Lions having their final training sessions on the playing surface ahead of their Friday afternoon match.

The North-Lions clash will take place on Friday, April 5 from 4:40pm in front of a sold-out crowd, in the first of two Gather Round matches at Norwood Oval (Richmond V St Kilda on Sunday – also sold-out).

Hundreds of fans turned out for the clubs’ training sessions on Thursday afternoon to catch a glimpse of their favourite players, as well as share a selfie and secure an all-important autograph.

Earlier in the day, North Melbourne co-captain Jy Simpkin and Brisbane Lions forward (former Norwood junior) Zac Bailey, as well as the AFL’s Josh Mahoney and SA Premier Peter Malinauskas spoke to the media.

Bailey said it was exciting to be playing at his former home ground, Norwood Oval.

“It’s an awesome experience,” Bailey said.

“I went to school at PAC down the road, and spent a fair bit of time here (at Norwood Oval), so it’s awesome that I can come back and play here now that I am playing AFL.

“The oval looks really nice – when you come back you notice how skinny the ground is and that changes the way you play, but I am glad to come back and play another game at Norwood.”

Simpkin was also looking forward to the Gather Round match at Norwood Oval, with both sides searching for their first wins of 2024.

“I grew up in a country town in Victoria, so it’s good to get that country feeling (in Mt Barker last year and Norwood Oval this year). It reminds me of home, the crowd gets involved, they are so close to the game,” he said.

“The Lions have been a great team, playing in a Grand Final last year so we are expecting a fierce battle.

“It’s my first time here at Norwood Oval and the first thing you notice is how good the deck is looking.”

Open team training sessions continue on Saturday with St Kilda from 9am and Richmond from 3:30pm, with their game to follow on Sunday from 2:50pm.