“We are planning to make this an annual tribute celebration of Holly and Bianca … and whilst they’ve left us way too soon, they’ve still left a huge legacy,” Heath said on Saturday.
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“To play in premierships, it’s not an easy thing to do, and both those girls did it in their under-18 year, which was quite remarkable in a lot of ways,” he added. “So they’ve left a huge mark on our football club, and we’re just grateful to be able to celebrate them in this tribute game.”
The Beaumaris Sharks were first on the scoreboard with a point, however, Fitzroy swiftly answered with a goal and led for the first quarter.
A brilliant mark and subsequent goal by the hometown heroes in the second quarter put the Sharks back in play and a second goal in the final 10 seconds meant only one point separated the teams at half-time.
Fitzroy pulled ahead in the third, but the Sharks fought back in the final term, snapping an early goal to level the scores – much to the delight of the adoring home crowd.
Consecutive behinds and a goal helped Fitzroy sneak in front to win 39-28.
Players and spectators wore pink— Bowles and Jones’ favourite colour. Credit: Paul Jeffers
Saturday’s result did not seem to dampen the crowd’s spirits. Spectators cheered and waved their pink ribbons and formed another guard of honour for the Sharks into their change rooms.
Holly and Bianca’s grieving parents, Samantha Morton and Shaun Bowles and Mark and Michelle Jones, are still waiting for the results of an investigation into their deaths, promised by the Laotian government.
In a complaint echoed by families in other countries, the Australians said they were upset at a lack of engagement from Laotian authorities who have made no direct contact with the families and refused to meet them, citing the ongoing investigation.
Heath hoped more visibility, attention and information would help “eradicate and stomp out” incidents of methanol poisoning for Australians abroad.
A tribute to the memory of Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles at the club where they played in a premiership.Credit: Paul Jeffers
“So if there’s an outcome where people’s lives are saved, then that’s the overwhelming benefit that can come from this horrible situation,” he said.
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Going forward, Heath said, the club’s spirit of mateship award, which was voted on by the players, would be named in honour of Bowles and Jones.
“These are the really important things that the footy club can do to keep their memory alive,” he said.
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