The Fremantle Football Club has inducted five new Life Members at the Club’s Doig Medal Presentation Dinner at Crown Perth on Saturday evening.

Club captain Alex Pearce, co-vice-captain Caleb Serong, defensive pillar Brennan Cox, Club stalwart Marshall Stockden and ceremonial leader Dr Richard Walley were honoured as the five new inductees.

As a respected elder, Uncle Richard’s leadership and knowledge have strengthened the Club’s connection to First Nations culture.

He has generously supported Fremantle’s Reconciliation Action Plan, Indigenous jumpers and significant ceremonies.

Uncle Richard has been pivotal in some of the Club’s biggest moments, including helping design the Club’s first Indigenous jumper in 2013. A former No.1 ticket holder and current Patron, his impact has helped shape Fremantle into the Club it is today.

Uncle Richard on the significance of receiving life membership.

“I was speechless when I was approached about becoming a Life Member," Uncle Richard said.

“It’s an honour you don’t expect.”

“Fremantle is an amazing Club that has done what others haven’t, and now others look to us.”

“Fremantle's has a strong Indigenous foundation, but it’s the whole Club’s collective effort that has made it so special.”

“I could stand here for three weeks and go through every player and staff member at Fremantle and thank them.”

Stockden has served Fremantle with unwavering commitment and humility, embodying the values recognised by Club life membership over ??two decades.

Now Fremantle’s senior physiotherapist, he has supported countless players through serious long-term injuries and offered every squad member hundreds of hours of treatment to enable all to perform at their best on the field.

Offering treatment on days off, holidays and being available 24/7 has helped the selfless Stockden build meaningful connections, all while helping players perform at their best at training and on game day. His personal sacrifices and tireless work behind the scenes have made a lasting contribution to the Club.

Since joining the Club in 2006, Stocken has shown pure dedication and professionalism throughout his two-decade journey with Fremantle.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of all our finals and all our big moments on the field, but away from the field, the relationships I’ve forged are something truly special to me,” Stockden said.

“To the football Club itself, from past administrations to the current one, thank you for having faith in me to learn and grow into the person I am now over my 20-year journey with Fremantle.”

“I love doing what I do. I love coming to work every day.”

Drafted in 2013, the Tasmanian has become one of the most trusted and respected figures at the Club. Pearce became just the 24th Fremantle player to reach 150 AFL games. In 2023, his teammates elected him captain, making him the Club’s first Indigenous captain and only the eighth in AFL history.

Pearce has been endorsed in the role by his teammates every season since, reflecting the trust and respect he has earned from his peers. During his time at Fremantle, his contributions have also been recognised with the Beacon Award, Best Clubman Award and, in consecutive seasons, the Players’ Award.

“This is something pretty special and, to be honest, something I’ve looked forward to getting for quite some time,” Pearce said.

“I feel great pride knowing I can now call myself a Life Member of this football Club.”

“Over my 13 years at the Club, I’ve been fortunate enough to play alongside guys who pushed me from the get-go, and now I’m with a group of players who are doing just that as well.”

Serong’s Life Membership recognises the remarkable impact he has made at Fremantle, both on and off the field. A young man who moved west from Victoria, Serong has embraced the Club and committed to Fremantle for the long term. His achievements speak to his consistency and influence.

A three-time Doig Medallist and three-time Glendinning–Allan Medallist, as well as an All Australian, Serong is also one of the competition’s premier clearance players.

As co-vice-captain, Caleb leads by example and has become a central figure in the Club’s present and future. Life membership is fitting recognition of his outstanding contribution and enduring commitment to Fremantle.

"When you come to a place where you instantly feel valued and wanted, not only you, but also my wife, Chloe, and my family, I think I felt indebted to the Cub and want to do the most for them,” Serong said.

“The reason I am so proud to be a Life Member of Fremantle is the environment the Club has built.”

“Everyone is valued for who they are and what they can do, and I think that’s what means the most to me, how well the club treats its people.”

Selected with pick No.41 in the 2016 National Draft, Brennan Cox has forged a distinguished career as one of Fremantle’s most reliable key defenders. He earned All Australian squad selection in 2022 and finished runner-up in the 2022 Doig Medal.

A cornerstone of Fremantle’s backline for a decade, Cox recently surpassed the Club’s 150-game threshold for Life Membership, cementing his status among Fremantle’s most honoured players. His longevity, leadership and consistent intercept-marking prowess have made him a one-club stalwart.

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of such a strong group and incredibly grateful to the Club for giving me the opportunity all those years ago,” Cox said.

“I feel like I’ve got so many great connections at the club, from the playing group to the coaches to the everyday staff.”

“There are too many to go through individually and name everyone, but I’d just like to say thank you to everyone I’ve come across on this journey.”

With the addition of these five inductees, Fremantle now has 53 Life Members in the Club’s 32-year history.