Kinglake loses grand final, but wins hearts

The Kinglake Footy Club may not have won the Grand Final, but they have been inspirational in boosting community spirit.

Over the past months they have inspired the Kinglake community devastated by the bushfires.

Before the game, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Melbourne Football Club’s Jim Stynes toured the Lakers’ change rooms.

Mr Rudd told the players: “You are an inspiration to everyone here. You are an inspiration to the whole country.”

At the 25 minute mark of the last quarter, the teams were drawn, but Olinda-Ferny Creek kicked two quick goals to win the game (13.12 to 11.12).

The national anthem was sung by Kinglake local Ross Buchanan, who lost two children and a brother-in-law in the Black Saturday bushfires.

After the crowd joined him singing the anthem, 173 yellow and green balloons were released – one for each person who died in the bushfires, one for an Olinda player who died in a house fire a few months ago and one for a former Kinglake player who died in a recent car accident.

The HeraldSun: Kinglake loses grand final, but wins hearts