AFL goes Holstein

IN AUSTRALIAN football circles the colours black and white are synonymous with the Collingwood Football Club.

But during the Pies’ practice game at Morwell on March 8, it was their opposition’s socks that used the colour combination to support a cause.

St Kilda has teamed up with Dairy Australia this year and the men’s players were seen wearing socks with black and white markings, much like you would see on a herd of Holsteins on a dairy farm.

Saints ruckman Rowan Marshall, who spent time growing up on a dairy farm in south-west Victoria, said he was proud to support the industry.

“Dairy is a massive part of the community where I grew up in Portland, and it’s great that we are showing our support as a club,” Mr Marshall said.

“Dairy farmers are part of our rural communities and so important to the local economy in these country towns, just as local football clubs are.”

In partnership with St Kilda, Dairy Australia’s Socks Up for Dairy initiative is a proud display of support for dairy communities across the country.

“Our Socks Up for Dairy initiative celebrates the special role that sport and dairy play in our communities,” Dairy Australia’s communications strategy manager Glenys Zucco said.

“We hope to show our support of regional dairy towns, thank our farmers and bring Australians together to barrack for team dairy.”