The pack of Bulldogs — consisting of Michael Archer, Jayden Armstrong, Will Russell, Xavier Hutchinson, Cade Dealy, Will Pyke, Sean McAllister and Nick Marino — have committed to cultivating their luscious mullets to raise money for mental health organisation Black Dog Institute.
With $1895 of the $2000 goal raised as of midday Thursday, Archer was psyched to see the community's response to the Tatura lads’ hair-raising efforts.
“We absolutely didn’t expect to get to (that amount) so quickly — the support has definitely taken us all by surprise and we are super grateful that people are getting behind us and the cause,” Archer said.
“Our club has been through some pretty rough times regarding mental health and it is a cause close to ours, our supporters and our community's hearts.
“We saw this initiative and a few of the young fellas already had a mullet, so thought it would be a good idea to put them to use and raise some money for a good cause.”
Tatura’s footballers — alongside all other community club members in the region — have been sidelined for large chunks of the winter season due to recurring lockdowns.
In plain terms, modes of recreation and social interaction have been stolen away.
Which is precisely why Archer believes so vehemently in staying active; it is one of the reasons behind why he and others chose to back the Mullets For Mental Health movement.
“Obviously it’s fun being a participant in community sport, but the most important thing is that it gives a social outlet to the whole community,” he said.
“We are so lucky at Tat to have such a great supporter base and we love going out to play for them every week.
“We are also very lucky in this day and age that we can still stay connected with friends and family through social media, even though nothing quite compares to the face to face interaction.
“It is super important to maintain other healthy habits like regular exercise even if it is a short, sharp circuit at home or going for a walk.”
Those out and about at Tatura may just see a few mullets streaming regally throughout town as the boys go about their regular exercise.
Although, according to Archer, he’s hoping his mane will raise eyebrows for a completely different reason.
“I don’t think I’m the one out of the boys to ask for the key to a perfectly manicured mullet; Xav Hutchinson and Will Russell are definitely leading the way in that department,” he said.
“Personally, I’m of the belief that the worse the mullet is the better.
“If I can make someone laugh when they see it, I have achieved what I have aspired to do.”
● To donate to Tatura’s Mullets For Mental Health drive, visit Black Dog Institute - Tatura FNC (teamblackdog.org.au)
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