At a glance:
- Seb Ross says he is proud to honour St Kilda champion Trevor Barker this weekend and raise awareness of the plight of families facing cancer.
- The Saints and Bulldogs will take play for the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate, with Sunday marking the 21st iteration of the annual fixture.
- Sunday's match will pay homage to Barker and EJ Whitten, as well as the work of their respective Foundations.
Trevor Barker’s legacy lives large at St Kilda.
In a physical sense, there is the naming of the Saints’ best-and-fairest medal, and of course the enormous image of an iconic Barker mark that adorns the external wall of RSEA Park.
It is an image still firmly planted in the minds of those who had the privilege of watching the champion Saint grace the field.
But Barker’s impact on St Kilda’s history goes far beyond the hangers.
When COVID-19 swept through the football industry like a tidal wave, it was the loyalty of St Kilda members who ensured the club stood its ground.
For many, this is a loyalty embodied by the high-flying No. 1, who tragically died of cancer in 1996.
This Sunday’s clash against the Western Bulldogs marks the return to football, albeit without the colour of the crowds in the stadium.
But it also honours Barker and another giant of our game in Footscray legend Teddy Whitten.
The Barker-Whitten Challenge was first held 20 years ago and has been awarded to the winning side in a Saints v Bulldogs game every year since.
Named in honour of two club legends, the Barker-Whitten Challenge Plate pays homage to these two outstanding individuals as well as the work of their respective Foundations: the Trevor Barker Foundation and the EJ Whitten Foundation.
Both charities are partners with Challenge – an organisation that dedicates itself to supporting children and their families living with cancer.
Since 1983, Challenge has provided a range of ongoing support and recreational activities for affected families, and remains a pioneer in supporting Victorians throughout their cancer journey.
As the Trevor Barker Award winner in 2019, St Kilda Vice Captain Seb Ross is a Challenge Ambassador in 2020, as he was in 2018 after winning his first best-and-fairest a year earlier.
The midfielder said the role had a significant impact on him.
“As part of the ambassador role, I visit the Monash Hospital and get involved in different events here at the club or in the community,” he said.
“It’s incredible to meet the kids and their families who are battling cancer with such an amazing attitude towards life.
“It’s very confronting what they are going through, and I know that meeting them and learning about their stories is something I’ll never forget.
“Playing this weekend for the Barker-Whitten Challenge reminds us of those who’ve come before, and also how privileged we are to do what we do.”
