As a club with a proud indigenous heritage, Fremantle welcomed past players Troy Cook, Scott Chisholm and Antoni Grover to Thursday’s training session at Victor George Kailis Oval ahead of Saturday’s indigenous round clash with Adelaide.
Fremantle players donned the newly designed indigenous guernseys for the training session and the past players were given a tour of the new facility by CEO Steve Rosich.
Chisholm spoke highly of Indigenous Round, highlighting the strong link between football and indigenous culture.
“I think when every indigenous player walks out onto the football field our culture is right there with them,” Chisholm said.
“There’s a passion we have for our culture and the game represents young boys turning into men.
“It’s aligned with us and that’s what we stand tall for, we got to walk around proud just like the Fremantle boys are doing right now.
“They’re really proud of themselves and so are we.”
It’s fitting that Fremantle is set to break a long-standing record this week in indigenous round, with Freo naming eight indigenous players in the side that will face Adelaide.
The mark was first set by Fremantle in round seven of the 2003 season, when Grover and Cook were joined by Des Headland, Jeff Farmer, Roger Hayden, Steven Koops and Dion Woods in the side that faced the Western Bulldogs.
Cook, who works with the Wirrapunda Foundation, said it was important for the AFL to celebrate its indigenous culture.
“It’s a great round, I’ve played in a few of them before and it’s a great initiative by the AFL,” Cook said.
“All of the AFL clubs are embracing it and a lot of Aboriginal players are in the game at the moment.
“It’s a great way for everyone involved in AFL footy to celebrate Aboriginal people and their contributions to football on and off the field.”
Grover echoed Cooks thoughts.
“It’s about the boys being able to represent their families and culture, it’s a great concept,” Grover said.
“It started from the Kevin Sheedy days when he implemented the ‘Dreamtime at the G’ all of these things are great for reconciliation for Australia.”
