Inspiring acts why WAFL matters more than ever

Perth Now

2 days ago

Yes the AFL is the big show. The big game in town. It's polished and professional. But sometimes, the game we love can be a little bit out of reach — and that's where the WAFL comes in.
There's a beautiful simplicity about the local league and it can remind you why you fell in love with footy in the first place.
It's because you can bring the kids, spread out a rug, kick a footy at half-time, and let the afternoon roll by like 'the old days'.
You can rock in right before bouncedown … no queues here and it costs only $20 or less (it's free at Good Grocer Park in East Fremantle).
And guess what, if you get down near the fence you can actually hear the crunch of the tackles if that's what really gets your blood pumping.
And during the breaks, you can see the veins in the coach's neck bulge as he's giving the forwards a spray. The best part? You can wander out on to the ground and have a kick with your kids.
This isn't second-rate footy. It's football in its purest form.
And the WAFL is played just how the founding fathers had dreamt it would be. Peel Thunder's Liam Reidy and Claremont's Oliver Eastland. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
There's no flooding. Less structure, with more one-on-one contests. Players going head-to-head all day long. It's a complete mano-a-mano contest. No ganging up on your opposition … it's like Jakovich v Carey, or Glass v Pavlich.
The players are just like you and me, to some degree. They have real jobs — day jobs — or they're chasing a dream, many just playing for the love the game and a bit of extra coin.
You can even chat to them in the club bar or in the carpark afterwards. And this isn't just about some Barra nostalgia trip. The standard of WAFL footy is bloody good and it's real and raw.
AFL is the big time, and we love it. But WAFL, that's the heart and soul.
So this weekend, grab a scarf, bring the kids. Eat a pie, have a beer and cheer on the Tigers, the Lions or my Demons from the fence.
And remember what footy used to feel like … and what it can still be.
It's about community — and nowhere was that clearer than on the weekend at Revo Fitness Stadium.
On what was arguably the coldest and wettest day of the footy season, Claremont drew a crowd — not just to see dual Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe make his WAFL return but for a Big Freeze fundraiser for Fight MND, held in honour of local dad Jordan Early. Nat Fyfe playing for Peel Thunder. Credit: Jackson Flindell / The West Australian
And the celebrity sliders went all-in. West Coast AFLW coach Daisy Pearce — a seasoned slider — joined Eagles legend John Worsfold. Woosha dressed as tennis star Alicia Molik and Molik kitted out as Eagles wonderkid Harley Reid — complete with mouthguard and headband.
And three of the western suburbs' most prominent headmasters also braved the icy waters. Alec O'Connell (Scotch College), who took the plunge and challenged others to match his commitment. Dean Dell'Oro (Hale School), who was backing Hale Old Boy Jordan 100 per cent, and Alan Jones (Christ Church Grammar) who made sure the old school rivalries carried on in icy style, promising a plunge that would go down in schoolboy folklore.
It was fun, it was powerful and it sure made a splash. Jordan Early and Jo Moullin. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
Jordan Early, just 42, was diagnosed with MND earlier this year. A father of three, his world changed overnight, but so did his community — rallying around him, proving that even on the coldest day, a bit of warmth and hope goes a long way.
His partner Jo Moullin summed it up: 'Hope is so important, and it shouldn't be taken away so abruptly.' She's right you know, this is a beast of a disease, and with MND you don't have the luxury of time.
Channel 7 had special coverage of the event and many a tear was shed amongst the crew who worked on this Big Freeze. The theme was to rally together and stand beside those battling the Beast.
But Saturday wasn't just about fundraising. It was about reminding a family — and all of us really — that footy is more than wins and losses. It's about people showing up for each other.
That's WAFL. And that's why WAFL matters.
Claremont, right here in the western suburbs, are chasing another flag on the field. But off the field, they've already won the most important game of all — the one that brings people together.
So, this weekend, do yourself a favour. Pop down to the local oval. Bring a scarf. Bring your voice. And bring your love of the game.
Because WAFL still matters. And in many ways, it matters more than ever.