The street where Fremantle forward Michael Walters grew up with West Coast’s Nic Naitanui and Carlton’s Chris Yarran has become part of footy folklore.
The trio also played at the same junior club, Midvale Football Club.
Walters and Naitanui recently visited the grassroots club, sharing an insight into the club that started their love of footy.
“I started when I was eight or nine,” Walters said.
“One day I remember Chris Yarran walking past my place…I yelled ‘Chris, what are you doing?’ and he said he was going to footy training.
“I quickly ran inside to my parents, ‘Mum can you take me to footy training?’ I want to sign up with Midvale.”
Walters said the club kept many children in the area from roaming the streets and getting involved in anti-social activities.
“I remember training days, catching the school bus and rocking up,” he said.
“Playing back then was very important for me, it kept me out of trouble.
“Everyone could come down and enjoy footy, whether they were good or not, they got a game.”
Walters praises forwards for standing tall
One of Walters’ junior coaches, Stuart Blight, said he remembers Michael as a keen 10-year-old at the club.
“He was at the club right through until he went to Swan Districts colts at 17,” he said.
Another Midvale coach, Frank Cavicchio, said Walters was an exciting player, even as a junior.
“What we used to like about Sonny was every game he’d take a screamer,” he said.
“The whole crowd would erupt ‘Sonny!’.”
