Players, staff, and fans of the Fremantle Football Club shared an important morning together on Friday at King Park for the Club’s annual smoking ceremony ahead of the AFL side’s meeting with the Cats in Round 1. 

Uncle Richard Walley and the Club’s Indigenous Multicultural Liaison Officer Che Wyatt, led the morning’s smoking ceremony, speaking on the importance of bringing people and cultures together as one. 

“A day like today is an important symbol of the importance the Club places on cultural practices and embedding Indigenous culture into the football club,” Wyatt said after the ceremony. 

“We spoke about it last year. We (Fremantle) are the benchmark now, but it’s about even getting better than that and supporting our players and our people as best we can. Putting on events like today is part of that.” 

“We are at this weird section of society where division is hot. Uncle Richard’s ability to bring people together in a way where it’s about the collective, not an exclusive event, is amazing. He loves to celebrate and learn about all cultures.” 

“Every time he (Walley) speaks, he enlightens you and gives you all these ideas about how everyone can continue to embrace not just their own culture, but all cultures.” 

Wyatt touched on the newest Indigenous recruits who joined Fremantle over the off-season, saying their strong family values and connections were something that noticeably stood out in their short time at the Club, fitting seamlessly with Fremantle Football Club’s trademark.

“For a Club that is known for having a strong number of Indigenous players, there was potential at the end of last year for us to have two on our AFL list and one on our AFLW list going into 2025,” Wyatt said. 

“But we recruited three Indigenous players, which may be the most of any club in the league over the off-season.” 

“Family is one of our trademarks. Shai, Quinton, Sonny, Duds, and Alex, they live and breathe that.” 

“They’ve strengthened the Club’s connection to family with their strong family values. Almost everything they do is centred around family, and if we tap into that and relate it to our trademark, it will only further align our people with it,” Wyatt said. 

“Their spirit and connection have been awesome to witness off-field, and we can’t wait to see what they can do on the field.” 

The Club now has five Indigenous players (Alex Pearce, Michael Walters, Shai Bolton, Quinton Narkle, and Isaiah Dudley) on its AFL playing list ahead of the 2025 season, up from three in 2024. 

Wyatt also reflected on the recent Indigenous All Stars game in February, highlighting how impactful and proud that event was for the whole Club. 

“To have that at the forefront and for everyone to get involved and share our culture is just as important as participating in it. It was an amazing experience.” 

“To see all the Indigenous All Stars connecting the way they did from the get-go and how the Freo boys embraced that, it was just a celebration.” 

“Leading up to today’s Smoking Ceremony, it’s been awesome.”