A historic moment occurred at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday when triplets Jemma, Caitlin and Ella Ingram all played in the same football match.
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The eight-year-old Auskick footballers took part in one of the half-time matches during the Geelong v Hawthorn Easter Monday AFL clash.
The trio are granddaughters of Tathra residents Dennis and Therese Wheatley and were baptised at Star of the Sea Church.
Their father, Matt Ingram, said it was an amazing experience to watch his girls compete on the MCG.
“To watch them on Australia’s premier sporting field; you can’t get better than that,” Mr Ingram said.
An Auskick representative and a member from the Melbourne Cricket Club confirmed to Mr Ingram that no set of triplets had played at the one time on the hallowed turf.
“Everyone was just so excited once they were out on the ground,” Mr Ingram said.
“They want to play as much as they can.
“Now that the women’s league has begun, in 10 years time it’s going to be huge, which is perfect timing for them.”
The girls were also lucky to be playing on the same day as their beloved Hawks.
Mr Ingram was a promising footballer himself, playing representative football in his junior days and first grade in Canberra.
However, a motorcycle accident 11 years ago left Mr Ingram a paraplegic, preventing him from continuing with his sport of choice.
Watching his three girls compete on the MCG alongside his wife, Belinda, was indeed a special experience.
“I was so proud of them because they conducted themselves so well, especially when being interviewed,” Mr Ingram said.
The occasion was not lost on the girls, who admitted experiencing nerves and excitement.
“(Dad’s) always dreamed of playing on the MCG and he’s never got to do it, but we get to do it, so he’s really excited for us,” Jemma told Channel 7.
Following the success of the inaugural AFL women’s league, the proud parents might yet see a repeat performance at the home of sport.