There’s a section of Fremantle’s 2022 AFL Indigenous Jumper that illustrates the players standing arm in arm, willing to do anything to stick together and to do everything for their teammates.
The jumper, designed by Michael Walters and Peter Farmer Junior, uses the Noongar symbol for Man holding a spear, which is a totem from Walters’ links to the South West.
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On Saturday at the MCG, Walters said it was that solidarity Fremantle displayed to turn a 30-point deficit into a 38-point win against Narrm (Melbourne) – a team that hadn’t lost for 17 games.
“(The Demons) are absolutely humming at the moment, to play our brand of footy and for each and every player to play their role, to come over here and do that is just incredible,” Walters said.
“Everyone stuck to their structure, no one tried to go and do too much more than usual. They just played their role and everyone chipped away at it and I feel like that gave us the four points.
“The coaches gave us a strong game plan, gave us some ways that we can minimise their attack but then also ways that we can get them as well.
“It was a good win, a good win by everyone and it was good to come over here and do it.”
While Lachie Schultz dominated with four goals and Luke Ryan was sensational down back with 29 touches and 14 marks, Walters said the individual performances mattered little internally when everyone is delivering.
“These days we’re not just relying on certain players to get the job done, we’re all doing it,” Walters said.
“Here at the Club now it’s not about touches and who’s kicking goals, it’s more so about our structure and what’s going to give us the best chance to win.
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“Everyone wants to get a touch of the footy and kick goals and have a blinder, but you can also have a blinder internally playing our system and playing your role.
“It might not show on the stat sheet but internally, we do value it.”
Walters said he cherished the pre-game ceremony where Fremantle and Melbourne legend Jeff Farmer was present as Fremantle and Narrm’s Indigenous players exchanged gifts.
“I love Jeff Farmer, he’s the wizard, he’s someone that I grew up idolising and someone that I know pretty well,” Walters said.
“For him to be here supporting us (and the Demons), but for him to be here still showing his face around the Club whenever he can is incredible.”
