Asher Parsons touching the AFL Premiership Cup as part of his NAB Auskicker of the Year VIP grand final experience.
If local Auskicker Asher Parsons thought being Auskicker of the Week was awesome, his life got a whole lot better at the weekend.
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As one of the weekly finalists in the Auskicker of the Year award, Asher was awarded a VIP grand final experience of a lifetime.
All Auskicker of the Year nominees and their families were treated to a special dinner Thursday night before the grand final.
Hosted by Channel Seven sports broadcaster Hamish McLachlan, each was presented with their personalised uniforms for the weekend and got to meet the other nominees.
They all walked the red carpet to the dinner like stars, with lights and flashing cameras and superstars from AFL and AFLW galore.
The highlight of the night was the opportunity to see and touch the 2022 AFL Premiership Cup, and the 2022 AFLW Premiership Cup.
Asher up close and personal on the red carpet with Marcus Bontempelli.
On Friday the young footballers attended the grand final parade.
As well as enjoying the fanfare, all finalists were presented on stage with the Geelong and Sydney teams.
Following that it was off to the MCG where they watched Geelong and Sydney do their training sessions.
The kids were treated to a training session of their own, with Brisbane Lions footballers Dayne Zorko and Hawthorn footballer Jarman Impey.
The Cats own Joel Selwood is a NAB Auskicker of the Year Ambassador, and took time out of his grand final preparations to take the kids out onto the ground for a quick photo.
But the VIP treatment didn’t stop there.
Each nominee and their families also attended the grand final on Saturday, and were invited back on to the hallowed MCG turf for a walk of honour at quarter time.
At the end of the thrilling match, they then presented the medals to the players.
While Asher would have preferred to see his beloved Pies on stage, he was still excited to present a medal to Geelong star Gryan Miers.
On top of what was already a dream come true, Asher and his family stayed at the same hotel as the Geelong team.
They met lots of the players, running into them in the cafe, even sharing a lift with them at times, which mum Kira described as “pretty cool”.
“Everything was so well organised, and it was such an amazing experience for all of the kids - and the adults,” Kira said.
“Asher made some great friends through the experience.
“They all love footy just as much as he does.
“We're really thankful to the teams at NAB, TLA and the AFL for all the time and effort they put into this over the year, and especially this weekend”.
Asher after the Grand Final at the MCG.
Staying at the same hotel as the Cats had its perks for Asher and his family pictured in the lift with Geelong stars Cam Guthrie and Brandan Parfitt.
Asher participated in a training session with Brisbane Lion player Dayne Zorko.
Asher and Hawthorn player Jarman Impey.
Asher awarding the medal to Geelong star Gryan Miers during the grand final presentation ceremony.
Just chillin with Geelong’s Patrick Dangerfield.
On the red carpet with Hawthorn’s Tom Mitchell.
A quick catch up with Geelong super star Zach Touhy.
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