Fremantle key forward Jye Amiss is the gift that keeps on giving, and the rising star forward isn’t just making waves on the field.
Speaking on the most recent episode of the Better Down Back Podcast, powered by MyPlace he shared some fascinating insights into his life off the field.
Here are five interesting facts about Jye Amiss that you might not have known:
1. Grew Up in a Foster Family
Amiss revealed that he grew up in a household that regularly welcomed foster children.
"I grew up around foster kids, my mum is a foster parent, so we had lots of different foster kids come in and out of the family," he shared.
Currently, his family is caring for six foster children, ranging in age from about six to 15 years old.
“Initially when I was younger having foster kids that weren’t real brothers and sisters come into the house you are a bit standoffish and you become a bit selfish as a little kid and want it all to yourself, but you learn to grow when you have the kids around and I just call them my brothers and sisters now,” Amiss revealed.
“Mum picks a couple of kids to come up (and watch Fremantle) each week because our car isn’t big enough to fit them all in!”
2. Commuted 4+ Hours for Training
Before joining Fremantle, Amiss and his family showed incredible dedication to his craft.
He would make the long journey from Busselton to Perth for training sessions, often leaving as early as 4am for weekend games.
"We'd have to leave at about 4am in the morning because Colts games were pretty early, at about 9am, so we'd get up at about 4 o'clock, get the game done and drive back," Amiss recounted.
This commitment demonstrated the passion and commitment he showed from a young age.
“I didn’t have my licence so it was mum who drove.” Amiss admitted.
“We would do the trip (from Busselton to Perth) up and back for Tuesday and Thursday trainings that I would have to get to whether it was East Perth or State footy.”
3. Overcame a Serious Kidney Injury
In a testament to his resilience, Amiss bounced back from a potentially career-threatening injury.
Shortly after his debut, he suffered a severe kidney injury during a marking contest while playing for Peel.
"I went up for a marking contest in the pocket and got hit in the kidney... I was in hospital for about a week," he explained.
“The week after my AFL debut game I actually got dropped and I was pretty upset, obviously you play your first game, and you want to keep playing and then you get dropped but I went back to Peel.
“We were playing at South Freo and I went up for a marking contest in the pocket and got hit in the kidney, it was pretty unlucky, the chance of that happening was pretty low but obviously went to hospital that night and went straight to emergency.
“I was actually lucky it was only the top half of the kidney that was actually damaged, they said it may or may not heal but I’ve had scans after and it's pretty much fully healed now.
4. Talented Artist and Music Enthusiast
Off the field, Amiss has a creative side. He enjoys drawing and additionally, he's an avid music collector.
“I did a fait bit of art at school and it's sort of just grown from there,” the young key forward admitted.
“I’m going to look to do some different stuff whether it's painting or water stuff.
“I love drawing anything really, and I have my record player there as well. I love records and I’ve got a pretty good collection going at the moment.
5. Passionate Fisherman
Amiss finds solace in fishing, a hobby he's enjoyed since his childhood in Busselton.
Living near the river in Applecross, he often spends his off days fishing for flathead.
"I go down at about lunchtime because you have to wait for the tide to go out. The flatheads sit on the edge of the bank,” he shared.
This pastime allows him to relax and take a moment to escape the pressures of professional football.
“My stepdad has a boat that we take out from Safety Bay in the summer,” Amiss said.
“I just love it. I go out there and chuck my airpods in or take a bag of food out and just chill in the river.
Jye Amiss’ journey to the AFL is marked by unique experiences that have shaped him both as a player and a person.
From his foster family background to his artistic pursuits, Amiss brings a well-rounded perspective to Fremantle, making him a player to watch both on and off the field.
