Every dog has his day
Ruckman’s world turned upside down

AFL star Luke Darcy gets an spectacular view of Melbourne, including the MCG, courtesy of the Roulettes. Photo by SGT Troy Rodgers

AFL’s big men fly high in Melbourne during the football season, but none flew higher than Western Bulldogs ruckman Luke Darcy.

The Bulldogs may have had a bumpy ride in season 2002, but Darcy got the ride of his life in grand final week courtesy of the Air Force’s Roulettes display team.

Coming off a season in which he won numerous individual awards and was named All Australian ruckman, Darcy’s career was elevated to even greater heights as he strapped himself into one of the Roulettes’ PC9 trainers for a flight over Melbourne.

Before cramming his 194cm frame into the compact cockpit, the 27-year-old was safety briefed on ejection seat procedures and received a pre-flight medical.

Darcy’s flight, in the aircraft of Roulettes team leader Squadron Leader Sean Bellenger, included two inverted passes over the home of footy, the MCG. Darcy got a once-in-a-lifetime view of the legendary stadium which hosted AFL’s season decider between Brisbane and Collingwood a few days later. The Roulettes did a flypast as part of the grand final entertainment.

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