Zéde lands stunning role in grand final

Zéde Southgate is about to set off on a three-day footy trip of a lifetime.

The nine-year-old from Morayfield is among 21 nominees for the NAB Auskicker of the Year Award.

As a finalist, the Moreton Bay Lions junior is going to Melbourne to be part of the hype, showcase and glamour of the AFL Grand Final.

Highlights include being in the traditional Grand Final Parade on Friday week, playing a game at half-time on the MCG and presenting a premiership medal to the winning team.

Zéde was featured on Channel 7 sharing his remarkable haircut – described as the “best haircut ever in Auskicker competitions” - and what he’d do with the $5000 cash prize.

“My mum and I haven’t been on a proper holiday together, so (if I won) I’d like to go on a cruise to Hawaii with her,” Zéde said.

The winner of the 2022 Auskicker of the Year will be announced at the Brownlow Medal Awards on Sunday night.

AFL is in Zéde’s genes. He grew up watching the footy with his mum and has her same love of Collingwood. It is said one of the first words he spoke was Magpie!

Collingwood have a preliminary final tomorrow (Saturday) agauinst Sydney Swans and could make their first Grad Final in two decades.

“When I grow up, I want to kick winning goals for the ‘Pies,” Zéde said in his Auskicker of the Year entry, which includes his indigenous flying crane dance after kicking a goal!

The Morayfield East State School student has been playing AFL for three years and goes to the Burpengary-based Lions three times a week.

“We love our club and the community,” mum Bex said, “even though he has learned the basics at Auskick, he sees it as an extra training session before his Saturday games and really just loves making new friends each year.

“We decided to send in a video entry for the Auskicker of the year nominee competition.

“His Auskick coach, Danny Allen, looks just like one of Zéde’s favourite players - so we based the clip around that. Danny was super cool and kind enough to star in the video entry as well.”

Zéde's favourite player Jamie Elliott, of Collingwood, saw his amazing haircut on the Channel 7 show and met his young fan before a match non the Gold Coast.

The NAB AFL Auskicker of the Year program celebrates Aussie kids through grassroots footy who simply love to play the game.

Since 2006 it has helped youngsters be active and learn footy skills while promoting a fun, healthy lifestyle.