Funds raised for breast cancer awareness may reach $25k as Rovers host GNFL’s first ever pink round

The footy community raised an estimated $20,000 or more for two breast cancer foundations, more than doubling its fundraising target, as Rovers hosted the Great Northern Football League’s first-ever pink round last Saturday.

Organiser Daniel Starling said the support from the community was overwhelming.

“We’re waiting to finalise (the total) — there are some costs and so on to work out,” Starling said.

“We’re aiming to be able to donate $25,000 after costs.

“It’s crazy compared to what we thought we were going to do.

“Lots of people have donated and offered to pay for things.

“We’ve still got companies saying ‘We’ll pay for that,’ so our costs are coming down by the day.

“The day became about the breast cancer awareness, not the footy, in the end.”

He said his one-off pink jumper, one of 22 worn by league players and then auctioned on the day, went for $4000. The day featured slushy machines, bouncy castles and other family activities.

On the field, the finals-bound Demons defeated a Chapman Valley side who were playing in their last game of the season, 14.12 (96) to 10.3 (63).

Rovers coach Ian Comben said the Royals had put on a strong showing to cap their season and said with a likely first semifinal for his team against Railways, he did not expect too many changes from either side.

“The pink round was excellent,” Comben said. “As far as the game went, we got it over the line.

“Take nothing away from Valley, they went out there to finish their season with a bang. “They moved the ball well and had some of the better passages of play.

“I can’t see, realistically, Railways changing much at this time of year, and we’re not going to change much either, so we’ll just prepare for the day and execute, hopefully.

“We may make the odd positional change ... but the way both sides go about it is not going to change.”

Chris Scott had a busy day.

He topped Rovers’ best list ahead of Josh Simpson and Gabriel Parfitt, kicking a goal, before heading to Spalding to play for Chapman Athletic in the Midwest Soccer Association against Rovers SC.