● Imagine making your AFL
debut in the code’s biggest
calendar fixture outside of
the finals series.
Essendon’s Ben McNiece
had to pinch himself as he
ran out to play his first senior
game for the club against
Collingwood in front of
more than 87,000 fans at
the MCG on ANZAC Day in
- It’s safe to say there
were plenty of nerves.
“It was an awesome
experience to debut on
ANZAC Day,” says the
Bombers defender. “You
dream of it from day dot
and to actually be out there
during the Last Post and
live that moment was
pretty special. There
were a few nerves
kicking about, but
I did some work
with a sports
psychologist
to harness that
energy and play
my role for the team.”
Dream
DEBUT
Ben McNiece
reflects on his first
Essendon game
on ANZAC Day
ANZAC DAY:
COLLINGWOOD
vs ESSENDON
LIVE Wednesday April 25 at
2.30pm on FOX FOOTY [504]
available in the SPORTS pack
Hard work and tenacity have
given Ben McNiece “one last
crack” at a career in the AFL