First-year player Bailey Banfield could probably teach a lesson on bravery after going head-to-head against some of the game’s best players as a tagger in his debut season.
But even he was taken aback by the tough and inspiring stories behind the 10 recipients at the 24th AJ Diamond Club Bravery Awards, held at Cockburn ARC on Friday.
The annual event is a chance for Fremantle’s first-year-players to acknowledge some of the bravest young patients at Fiona Stanley and Rockingham General hospitals in the past 12 months.
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Banfield was paired with five-year-old Rhianna Riley, who has had difficulties with scalp lesions caused by a condition called pyogenic granuloma.
The pair quickly formed a bond and enjoyed the morning playing with the rest of the group on the slides and pools at Cockburn ARC.
“She’s been in hospital for four months and had a couple of issues,” Banfield said.
“I think the real lesson you take out of it is, the way that they still look at life. They’re still so positive.
“Rhianna was having an absolute ball in there today and having a massive amount of fun.
“It’s just that positive mindset that children bring, that’s the real lesson that we try to take out of it as players.”
Chief executive of the South Metropolitan Health Service Paul Forden also addressed the recipients and their families.
“South Metropolitan Health Service is pleased to partner with the Fremantle Dockers to recognise the bravery of our youngest patients,” Forden said.
"Being in hospital can be a scary time and these patients being awarded were by far the bravest, most courageous and determined during their treatment at Fiona Stanley and Rockingham hospitals."
The Bravey Awards have been supported by the AJ Diamond Club since 2013 and have been an annual feature on the Fremantle Football Club’s calendar since inception.
Bailey Banfield and Rhianna making a spash at Cockburn ARC
Tom North and Hugh Dixon with Madison (6)
Andrew Brayshaw presents an award to Grace (16), who had to undergo complex surgery and extensive physiotherapy after a quad bike accident
Sam Switkowski with Nate (3), who recently underwent surgery to drain a neck abscess
Stefan Giro and Scott Jones with Hermione (16)
Hugh Dixon and Tom North with Blake (15), who was diagnosed with a hip abscess and osteomyelitis after he fell off a bike
Scott Jones and Stefan Giro with Ethan (13)
Adam Cerra with Lucas (6), who has been battling Kawasaki disease
Lloyd Meek with Jake (7)
Hugh Dixon with Lucas
Mitch Crowden and TJ (2), who has been admitted 18 times so far to Rockingham General Hospital Children's Ward with a respiratory illness
