The Melbourne Football Club is bringing a strong line up to Bendigo for tonight’s AFL NAB Challenge match against the Western Bulldogs.
Now in their 150th year the Dees are getting together their best playing group including former Bendigo Pioneer Colin Sylvia for the Tynan Eyre Cup clash against the Bulldogs.
Organisers are expecting a crowd of around 10,000 to pack the ground when the big game gets underway at 7pm.
Melbourne coach Dean Bailey will be making his first appearance at the QEO with his new-look coaching staff which includes former premiership players Josh Mahoney, Sean Wellman and Paul Williams.
The Western Bulldogs will be keen to put up a good showing for their many fans in central Victoria.
Coach Rodney Eade has forecast a much bigger and stronger playing group this season.
He has a good coaching group behind him including Leon Cameron and the former Bendigo duo of Wayne Campbell and Peter Dean.
The game marks the 20th anniversary of the murders of Constables Steven Tynan and Damian Eyre who answered a routine call to a suspicious car in South Yarra. It was an ambush set up by hardened criminals and both young constables were killed shortly after they arrived at the scene.
Tonight central Victorian Football is combining with the Victoria Police Blue Ribbon Foundation in hosting the Dees and the Bulldogs with 50 per cent of the gate takings to go towards the Tynan Eyre Trauma Unit at the Bendigo Hospital.

Tonight’s Schedule

4.30pm  Gates Open
4.55pm  RecLink curtainraiser match
6.15pm  AFL Players warm up session
6.42pm  Tynan Eyre Cup arrives on police helicopter
 
6.57pm  National anthem
7.00pm  Game starts
8.12pm  NAB Auskick matches during half time break
9.32pm  Game ends
9.35pm  Official presentations