Defender Joel Hamling has relished the chance to return home for a few days as a part of Fremantle’s AFL Community Camp in the Kimberley.

Hamling is in Broome with a number of his teammates as they visit schools and communities in the region.

He said he had a number of happy memories form his time in Broome, including winning a premiership as a part of Cable Beach’s West Kimberley Football League team in 2009.

“It’s such a great place to live and to grow up in. I spent five or six years in Cable Beach and in 2009 I was 16 and played in a premiership,” Hamling said.

“It’s good to come back and see all the young kids with a smile on their face regardless of what players we bring, Nat Fyfe or a first year player, they’re always smiling and happy to see the AFL players.” 

Hamling said he was feeling nostalgic about visiting Broome Senior High school where he studied after moving to Broome from Kununurra.

“I thought about it last night, that I would get to see all my old teachers and it would bring back all of those old memories,” Hamling said.

“Time flies, it was about 10 years ago that I was at school. I had a great time, I really enjoyed it, the teachers and students were great, so to get back here is great.” 

Hamling isn’t Freo’s only Kimberley connection. Teammate Bailey Banfield also hails from Broome and Fremantle’s Next Generation Academy is going from strength to strength in the region. 

As well as helping grow the game in the region, Freo have four NGA graduates on their list including Jason Carter and 2019 draftees Liam Henry, Isaiah Butters and Leno Thomas.

“We’re starting to really build the new NGA program that Tendai Mzungu is running,” Hamling said.

“To be able to get up here every couple of months and check out the talent and interact with the community, that’s great for us as a club. 

“It’s always good to give back. It gives the young kids hope that they can eventually get to WAFL or AFL level.”

As well as interacting with the community, the group of 22 players who have made the trip to the Kimberley are still focused on their football, going through a running and weights session on Thursday. 

Hamling said the excitement was building around the club, with the Marsh Series commencing later this month with a clash against Carlton on Saturday 29 Febuary at David Grays Arena. 

“Pre-season is going really well,” Hamling said.

“There are lots of new players and we’ve drafted three top-10 draft picks and traded really well with Blake Acres and James Aish.

“We’re really exited to get stuck into it, we have games in around three weeks so we’re fine tuning our game plan and getting ready to play.”