By JARROD POTTER
A NORMAL school-day turned into so much more for Botanic Ridge’s Sean Wood when the Hawthorn mega-fan had a very special visitor turn up for his religion class.
The eight-year-old super-supporter was over the moon when Hawthorn premiership star Cyril Rioli walked into his class last Tuesday at St Agatha’s Primary School, in Cranbourne.
Rioli was there on a special mission – to thank Sean for being such a passionate supporter of the Hawks and present him with his junior membership.
The club heard about his love for Hawthorn after a Facebook post showed Sean overjoyed with ‘happy tears ‘after getting a signed birthday card from Rioli in the mail.
Hawthorn went one better than a birthday card this week though, as Sean and his classmates literally couldn’t believe it when Rioli walked in.
“When he walked in he said ‘can we please have Sean’ and everyone was like ‘SEAN’ and ‘what’s going on?” Sean said. “I felt all nervous – I thought it (Rioli) was plastic, but then I heard him talk and saw the thing on his foot, so I knew he actually had something going on as I knew he got a big corky in the game against Richmond.
“I was looking at his knee and I knew he was real.”
Sean has been a Hawthorn supporter ever since his older sister Lily got him interested in the club and his favourite player has always been Rioli – making the visit even more special.
“My sister got me into Hawthorn and when I started with Hawthorn I saw him on the field and thought ‘he’s pretty good, I like him’ and he’s been my favourite player ever since then,” Sean said.
“I like it when they kick the ball to him or handpass it and he can always get it away from the other team.
“And the way he snaps it too.”
Sean’s mum Renee had to keep the secret visit under wraps for a week, but was just as excited when Cyril came through the doors of the school and wanted to thank Hawthorn for the special moment.
“It’s been such a highlight for our family,” Renee said. “The way the Hawthorn Football Club was with us – I knew for a week and couldn’t tell the kids or anyone – but they were so family-oriented, and it was such an emotional day.
“Sean’s teacher had to walk out because she was crying too and the way they did it and how Cyril was to Sean, we couldn’t have asked for it to be any better.”
Sean is ready to start his own football journey as the Auskick star will make the step up to Cranbourne’s under-9s team in the South East Juniors competition.
