Up and coming Kimberley footballers get first taste of AFL in Aboriginal All Stars curtain-raiser

The Kimberley’s best football talent got their first taste of the big stage at the weekend, playing the curtain-raiser to the Indigenous All Stars match at Optus Stadium. The Fremantle Dockers’ Next Generation Academy team featured nine players from the Kimberley, proudly representing their communities in a high-intensity showcase against the West Coast Eagles’ NGA team. Among them were Carl Rex and Damien Newry from Kununurra, Rhys Clark from Wyndham, Michael McKay from Halls Creek, D’Ontae Wungudin from Fitzroy Crossing, Keanu Crispin, Kobie Yarran, and Leithan Turner from Broome, while Quaden Cox flew the flag for both Beagle Bay and Broome. Despite a challenging first half, 0.9 (9) to 6.5 (41), Fremantle’s NGA side fought hard to claw their way back into the game in the second half, but the West Coast Eagles NGA team proved too strong, securing an 11.8 (74) to 4.14 (38) victory. Fremantle Football Club’s regional engagement officer Ben De Meo said the boys were instrumental in the NGA team. “Once they settled and the nerves got out of their way, they certainly showed what they’re capable of and played a big part in the game,” he said. “There were plenty of butterflies amongst them on Saturday, but once the ball was bounced, they just did their thing and showed what they’re all about. “They all travelled with their families, so they had their own little support bases in the crowd cheering them on, which was really neat to see. “The boys were definitely excited. There was a lot of nervous energy on Friday at the captain’s run at Optus, especially when they got to meet their idols among the All Stars.” He said Rex was a stand-out performer at half forward. “Carl Rex was the stand-out of our Kimberley representatives. He’s a real silky-smooth mover and kicked our first goal. He brought a whole new element to the game and was very hard to defend.” The curtain-raiser, played ahead of the Indigenous All Stars game on February 15, showcased the next generation of AFL talent in Western Australia. Fremantle’s NGA program continues to provide a pathway for Indigenous players from remote regions, ensuring young stars from the Kimberley have the chance to chase their AFL dreams. With their first big-stage experience behind them, these Kimberley footballers will now take what they’ve learned back to their local competitions, knowing that their AFL ambitions are within reach.