The theme of the 2026 Len Hall Tribute Game recognises the 30th anniversary of the Black Hawk helicopter collision, which occurred near Townsville on 12 June 1996. 

This tragic event remains Australia’s worst peacetime military aviation disaster, resulting in the loss of 18 service personnel - 15 from the SAS Regiment and three from the 5th Aviation Regiment. 

WO1 Simon Ion OAM - who was present on the day of the Black Hawk helicopter incident - will recite the Ode on Saturday 25 April ahead of Fremantle’s Len Hall Tribute Game clash with Carlton at Optus Stadium.

“For me personally, I was in the Black Hawk accident in June ’96 where 18 tragically lost their lives,” WO1 Simon Ion OAM said. 

“Since that time, there have been many other soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

“It’s not just those individuals, it’s also the families and the friends. 

“It’s that eternal, rebounding ripple that affects so many of us serving, but also those in the community.” 

Gerard Bampton was also present during the tragedy and was himself injured in the accident.

Saturday’s pregame ceremony and buildup offering a significant time for reflection and remembrance of the events of that day for Bampton.  

“I still consider myself extremely lucky. I was one of only two survivors in Black One, where 11 people unfortunately lost their lives,” Bampton said. 

“I know with tragedies like this, they do need to be remembered and acknowledged, despite the fact that it was a peacetime training accident. 

“What we were training for was the real thing, should it ever happen. 

“For me, it is one of the more important days of the year, that’s for sure.” 

For Ion, Saturday will be the first time he has attended the Club’s Len Hall Tribute Game, a moment he eagerly awaits. 

“I have been to the ANZAC Day game at the MCG before, and to hear, or rather, not hear anything in that arena during the minute of silence is something I’ve never experienced anything like before,” Ion said. 

“I’ve been told that it’s the same here for the Len Hall game.

“That in itself is pretty impressive, that as a society, bar none, we respect what it is, and the importance of ANZAC Day, those who have sacrificed, and those who have served, and at its core, it speaks to selfless service to the nation.” 

In recognition of this significant anniversary, the Fremantle Football Club has respectfully extended an invitation to the members and families affected by the Black Hawk accident to attend the Len Hall Tribute Game and lead the lap of honour pre-game.

For the Club’s 29th annual Len Hall Tribute Game, Fremantle will once again proudly wear the special Len Hall jumper. 

The design of the 2026 Len Hall jumper is the same as the one first worn in 2025, illustrating and paying tribute to the first time Len Hall met Eunice - a story that has become legend in Fremantle. 

In 1915, as a 16-year-old soldier preparing to depart for Egypt, Len spotted Eunice in the crowd at the Fremantle docks. 

In a spontaneous gesture, he plucked an Emu plume from his hat and offered it to her - a simple act that would change both their lives. 

Years later, after surviving the horrors of Gallipoli and the Middle East, Len returned home. 

During the welcome home march, Eunice found him and returned the plume, asking, “Excuse me, sir, would you like your plume back?” 

Two years later, they were married, beginning a partnership that would last 74 years.

The Emu feathers that make up the chevrons featured on the jumper are a direct tribute to that fateful gesture. 

Except for two pandemic-interrupted years, Fremantle has played the Len Hall fixture annually since 1996. 

This year, the Club will retail ANZAC Len Hall Tribute Game merchandise directly from the Club’s team store - The Dock. 

The inaugural ‘For Len and Eunice’ ANZAC jumper will return and, following high demand, will be accompanied by a premium 100% Australian Merino wool commemorative scarf and the players’ camo warm-up tee. 

The Club’s commitment to the ANZAC cause extends beyond the field. A portion of all merchandise sales will go directly to the ANZAC Appeal, supporting Australia’s veterans.