Fremantle Dockers supporters pay tribute to career of club legend and ‘great bloke' Michael ‘Sonny' Walters

a day ago

Devastated Fremantle supporters have flooded social media with tributes for champion Michael Walters after his retirement on Thursday.
The Dockers announced the veteran forward and popular clubman would hang up his boots immediately, bringing an end to his glittering 16-year AFL career.
The one club player — famously known as Sonny or Son Son — retires with 239 games and 365 goals to his name, as well as a 2019 All-Australian honour and five Fremantle leading goalkicker awards. He also captained the 2025 Indigenous All Stars side and won a WAFL flag with Swan Districts in 2010.
Dockers supporters and the footy world took to social media to congratulate Walters on his career, saying he will always remain a fan favourite.
'Truly sad to see him leave. An inspiration to his teammates and the wider indigenous communities,' Freo fanatic John Toomey posted on Facebook. 'A legend among his contemporaries and peers. He sits comfortably among our club champions.'
Paul Jarvis wrote: 'I'm going to miss seeing my favourite player on the paddock, the sense of humour in particular. Congratulations Son Son and thank you very much for all of it.'
'One of our greatest players ever. Thank you for everything Sonny. Brilliant player and person,' Facebook fan page Flagmantle posted.
'Dead set legend of the game and our club,' Robert Fiske said.
'Fabulous human who embodies everything we want in our club. Well Done Sonny … now get yourself enrolled in the coaching academy and get your bum back at Freo to teach our next gen.'
Gail Calleja posted: 'A champion of the game and for Fremantle Football Club.'
'A great player and more so a great club person,' said Anthony Dean Clarke.
Lee Clarke wrote on Facebook: 'You've been an outstanding and inspirational player Sonny, loved watching you, should be extremely proud of your career.'
West Coast supporter Nathan Rhodes said: 'I'm an Eagles fan but this one still hurts like recently Gov and Sheed did.'
'A legend. A great player who is a talented leader and role model for all players and young aspiring players,' Bev Maloney posted.
The West Australian subscriber Richard D commented: 'Well done Sonny a true champion.'
'Absolute legend, thanks for all the good times Sonny,' Steven H posted.
'Well done Sonny. A great career. Congratulations on making your own decision,' said Peter D.
Ian Dolling said: 'Fantastic career from a fantastic person.'
'There will never be another Michael Walters,' wrote Carissa Regterschot. 'What an absolute sad day in football, I'm absolutely heartbroken but I completely understand.'
Joe Mazza said: 'Sonny you have left an incredible legacy at this club and been a shining light in persistence, your example of mapping out an incredible career after a shaky start, where others may have given up, shows what can be achieved with hard work.'
Walters was set to speak at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

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Fiji have midfield missile aimed at Wallabies' Suaalii

Perth Now

an hour ago

Perth Now

Fiji have midfield missile aimed at Wallabies' Suaalii

Playing more than 160 VFL games before taking on roles with the Wallabies, All Blacks and now coach of Fiji, Mick Byrne has seen some talented athletes in his time. But the memory of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii sticks in his mind as Byrne plots a way to shut down the Wallabies superstar in Sunday's Test in Newcastle. He recalled meeting Suaalii when he was an assistant to Wallabies coach Michael Cheika, with the schoolboy making an immediate impression on the pair. "I remember when 'Cheik' and I first met him when I was at the Wallabies and a young schoolboy came in, before he signed with rugby league, and we knew then that he was a tremendous athlete," Byrne said of the NRL recruit, who will line up for his fourth Test. "I think he offers a dimension to the game that not many athletes can .... it's a bit like Izzy (Israel Folau) in his day as well, that aerial skill set as well as being really well balanced across the ground. "Like a lot of international players we come up against, we've got to keep our eye on him, but I think as a player he just offers another sort of dimension, being that aerial skill set that we'll have to be aware of as well." Byrne named a strong line-up to try to contain Suaalii and the Wallabies, who are looking to make amends after losing their last clash against Fiji at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Byrne has since replaced Simon Raiwalui as coach, but has been able to include 13 players who were part of that historic match in France, posting their first win over Australia in 69 years. That includes the entire forward pack apart from flanker Elia Canakaivata. Fiji have their own midfield weapon in Josua Tuisova, who was key to their success in Saint Etienne, with Byrne looking to get some punch from the inside centre. Weighing 113kg, Tuisova's nicknames are "Human Bulldozer" and "The Bus". "Josh shifts the ball well and he's got great feet and he's a big, strong player," Byrne said of Tuisova, who plays for Racing 92 in France's Top 14. "We've got the opportunity to use him to get across the gain line early ...so being able to have Josh there is awesome for us because he does give us pretty good go-forward." While the World Cup win has bolstered belief, Byrne said the changes to the Wallabies since then presented a different challenge as his team looked to notch a third win in Australia, with the last in 1954. "The last start was two years ago, so different coaching regime, different players on the field, and I like the way (Australia coach Joe Schmidt) has got the Wallabies playing and now they're playing great footy," Byrne said. "So they're a completely different proposition to previous and we've got to be ready for that as they've got threats across the field. "I think it'd be great to beat Australia in Australia, to get a victory on Australian soil."