AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE & REQUEST FROM MURRAY WEIDEMAN
In my playing days at Collingwood, we had a bonding song called “we stuck so tight to the old black and white”. In other words, we looked after our mates whatever the circumstances. Money was never an issue because there wasn’t any.
In a recent survey conducted on past players’ injuries suffered as a consequence of playing VFL/AFL football, in the age group between 31 to 71 years, I was horrified to discover that 41% finish with severe injuries. Of the 41%, 57% are knees, ankles, shoulders and the head. All will require surgery now or sometime in the future.
The most startling was that the survey revealed that over 25% have no health cover and could take up to three years to have surgery through the public health system. Obviously many of our mates have fallen through the cracks and whatever their circumstances it is incumbent and up to us to help our mates in receiving medical treatment. The immediate solution is enrolment into medical insurance. That said however, medical cover is not cheap and we are looking at serious dollars to cover such large numbers. That’s not to say that we can’t make a start to raise money to at least medically cover the most serious cases at hand. My appeal is for each Collingwood past player to donate one piece of memorabilia in order for us to have one huge auction, where I am absolutely confident that the Collingwood faithful will support us 100% in purchasing the items. Those who know me well know that I will never shirk a confrontation, please support me in confronting this one. Memorabilia donation forms can be posted to Keith Burns, President, Collingwood Past Players Association. Online donations can be made here. Become a Foundation Member via our online store - click here.
Address: AFL Victoria, GPO Box 4337, Melbourne Vic 3001 Mobile: 0419 506 461 My personal pledge is a valued piece of memorabilia signed by the three Premiership Captains, Lou Richards, Tony Shaw and myself. Thanking you in anticipation. 
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