Fremantle acknowledged Reconciliation Week on Wednesday morning with a smoking ceremony performed by no.1 ticket holder Richard Walley at Victor George Kailis Oval.

The ceremony was held ahead of Fremantle’s first main training session for Sunday’s clash with Collingwood at the MCG, which has added importance as a part of Sir Doug Nicholls Round.

As a part of the smoking ceremony, Walley spoke about the importance of reconciliation, sang songs and told stories. 

“We have a lot of young non-Indigenous players from over east who wouldn’t have had a smoking ceremony like that before,” Walters said.

“I think we’ve done it for the past four or five years so it’s very important to us as a club.”

The Fremantle players wore their away Indigenous guernseys for the ceremony, which they will also wear against Collingwood.

Walters is one of 16 indigenous players at Fremantle – with 11 in the AFL team and five in the AFLW team – the most of any AFL club.

“It was special. Being a strong Indigenous man from WA, I know we have a lot of culture here at the club and in the past as well – players such as Des Hedland and Dale Kickett – and there’s going to be many more too,” Walters said.

“It’s good to bring the culture to the club, not only for the players but also for the coaches and staff as well.

In addition to the club's activity during Reconciliation Week, 10 elders from the Kimberley will be forming a guard of honour at Etihad Stadium when Freo run through their banner to take on Collingwood. 

The 10 elders will travel from Broome to Melbourne for the game thanks to the Kimberley Stolen Generation Aborignal Corporation and the Fremantle Dockers. 

The club is grateful for the continued support of our Indigenous Program Partner, Woodside, who is working with Fremantle's submission of its next Reconciliation Action Plan, which includes events like the smoking ceremony held this morning.