Mooroopna’s St Mary’s Primary School is currently caught up in AFL grand final fever, cheering on former student Laitham Vandermeer ahead of Saturday’s big game at Optus Stadium.
Son of Mooroopna Cats football and netball legends Jeff and Katie, Vandermeer was born into the local sporting community and began his journey down at the local club before moving to Melbourne to attend Xavier College.
Attending the local catholic school through his junior years, he became a much-loved member of the St Mary’s community, which is proud to show off the accomplishments of the AFL export.
Since joining the Western Bulldogs at pick 37 in the 2018 national draft, Vandermeer has played 17 games at AFL level and last year won the Chris Grant Best First Year Player award at the club’s best and fairest night.
With Vandermeer embarking on the highlight of his football career to date, the school got creative in wishing the 22-year-old well, as the Western Bulldogs hope to pull of an upset and win their first flag since their fairytale 2016 triumph.
Principal Anthony Butts got together with other well-known St Mary’s personalities to post a video on the school’s social media channels, throwing their support behind the local boy.
Decked out in a Bulldogs scarf with an assortment of red, white and blue posters behind him, Butts had the following message for the alumnus.
“Good luck Laitham and all the best for the grand final,” he said.
“The Bulldogs have done wonderfully to get this far and everyone at St Mary’s has been very proud of the way you have been playing and representing our school.
“We wish you all the very best and go Bulldogs!”
The school continued to show its excitement for the big game late last week, as teachers and students dressed up for its annual Supporter Day.
As expected there were plenty of Demons and Bulldogs colours roaming the St Mary’s hallways as the school community took the chance to cheer on their favourite team ahead of the big game.
Nobody drew more attention than John Gibson on the day, as the Year 3/4 teacher completely decked out his car in red and blue - with a host of balloons, streamers and Demons posters, making it known to everybody where his allegiances lay come Saturday night.
While the entire school cannot come together to celebrate this year’s grand final and wish Laitham good luck, it is fantastic to see St Mary’s still finding a way to get behind one of their own in what is a monumental achievement.