The Fox’s Fifi, Fev & Nick (pictured here with the Underdog mascot) are taking their junior AFL team The Underdogs, made up of children who have been excluded from sports due to bulling, health issues, and other reasons, to play the curtain-raiser at Marvel Stadium this Friday night July 26, ahead of the Carlton vs. Port Adelaide sold out AFL match.
These children will have an experience they’ll never forget. One of the Underdogs is eight-year-old Jax. Jax’s mother, Leah, called into The Fox talking about how her 6 year old son was so bullied he would only watch kids at school play at lunchtime without joining in. The story brought Fifi Box to tears:
Fifi: “He’s eight. He should be loving life, enjoying being part of teams, having friends. We would love nothing more than this Friday night to be Jax’s teammate, to be his friend, to celebrate him, we want him to hear the cheers of thousands of people.”
Leah: “(crying) Thank you so much for this opportunity.”
Fev: “He won’t be watching. Jax will be playing.”
Also one of the Underdogs is Arli, a young boy battling cancer for the second time and given leave by doctors for Friday night’s game.
Fifi: “Marlin, we would love more than anything if Arli would be part of our Underdogs team. Will he be able to join us on Friday?”
Marlin (Arli’s mother): “Yes, absolutely. He’s actually in hospital today. We are hoping to go home. We are going to be restarting a new cycle of chemo next Monday. So, he will be truly able to attend the game. And be part of something quite unique. He’s very excited and thank you for the opportunity.”
Marlin: “He was diagnosed in 2021. He’s been unable to attend (AFL matches) because he’s been in hospital. He completed something like 833 days of chemo. He had a break of 11 months and then was diagnosed again on the 8th of May, constant treatment and when he’s at home, you know, we’ve had to be incredibly careful. So, he’s been so isolated and apart from that COVID was around in 2021.”
Fifi: “We can’t wait for Arli to be a part of the Underdogs on Friday night. He’s going to have a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we can’t wait to celebrate him on Friday night. Arli is going to be a superstar at Marvel Stadium.”
The Fox, Channel 7, the Carlton Football Club, and the AFL have collaborated to turn this idea into reality for Melbourne children facing significant challenges. The Underdogs will run out onto the field with Fifi, Fev and Nick at 7 pm and then watch the game from the stands with Brendan Fevola.