In an unusual chain of events, an amateur footy player has saved a young child that snuck onto the field during play over the weekend, as reported by Fox Sports.
The ball was in dispute close to the boundary line during the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) game between St Bernard's and Old Melburnians, when St Bernard's player Alex McLeod picked up the girl, taking her out of harm's way.
He then carried her over the boundary line before handing her to a runner on the bench.
“There are always plenty of kids down at St Bernard’s on a Saturday but I’ve never seen one so close to the boundary line —let alone having a run around with the seniors,” McLeod told foxfooty.com.au.
“Initially (I) thought that someone on the boundary would grab her, but she made a run for it and ended up on the half forward flank.
“Being the closest on the field I thought it was best to pick her up and get her out of harm’s way, the ball actually bounced towards her so there were a fair few players in the area.
“[I] was relieved that I didn’t drop her as I’d been fumbling the football all game!”
The VAFA said via a Facebook post that the toddler emerged from the incident unscathed.
"We can report the little girl left the game safe & sound as she looks forward to donning the Snow Dogs women’s jumper in about 15 years …,” the post said.
