Sport
25 September, 2024
Football a family affair for the Berry's as Jarrod fights for first flag
Horsham duo Jarrod Berry and Jake Lloyd will face off in AFL decider.
As the days count down to the biggest day on the football calendar, the region will have two representatives that run out onto the MCG for the AFL grand final on Saturday, September 28.
Former Horsham Saint Jarrod Berry and Horsham's Jake Lloyd will represent their respective clubs as Sydney plays Brisbane.
For Berry's father, Troy, the privilege of playing on grand final day comes down to dedication and hard work.
"It's such a long road to be able to get to that last game in September," Mr Berry said.
"And in a lot of ways, there's a lot of luck in the processes, and you just need to have that luck."
In the days leading up to the 'last Saturday of September, ' Mr Berry caught up with Lloyd's parents, Wendy and Tony.
"[We were] just talking about family and the importance of what our boys have achieved, and how exciting it is for not only them but for us as members of the Horsham community, to represent Horsham on the biggest game in [the] sport," he said.
The family aspect will continue in Melbourne later in the week when Jarrod's brothers Thomas and Joel fly down from Queensland for the occasion.
"For us, the weekend is about your family, supporting each other, and being around each other," Mr Berry said.
"[We will] just do the family stuff and try and keep as much normality around it as you possibly can."
Mr Berry believes Jarrod and the Lions will be better equipped in the lead-up as the club enters its second straight decider.
I know [from] last year it gets very exciting," he said.
"A lot of people invest a lot of time and effort into this one occasion, and that's certainly not lost on us.
"We embrace that wholeheartedly and enjoy every moment."
Something Mr Berry believes will be more special after the event.
"It probably isn't until the dust settles that you can reflect back on it as to how incredible a day it actually is," he said.
"But we couldn't be prouder and happier as a family to be part of it again."