On Sunday, 26 April, Fremantle were meant to take on Geelong at Optus Stadium for the 25th playing of the Len Hall tribute game.
But due to the Covid-19 crisis, 2020 will be the first year that the club do not hold a tribute to the Anzacs since its first year in 1996.
It’s a game that has come to mean so much to the fans, and in a conversation with fremantlefc.com.au, the club’s event manager Kellie Black gave some insight into why the game has meant a lot for so many of the State’s veterans.
Kellie told the story about how the club’s pre-game ceremony helped a Vietnam War veteran come to terms with his own struggles about being acknowledged for his service.
Initially, the veteran had politely declined to take part.
“His son told me he didn’t want to take part but added that he would try and get his dad there, saying he thought it would be important to him,” Kellie said.
“So we said we would hold a spot for him in the lap around the oval, just in case. We organised tickets and parking, anything they needed to make it easy for him to be there in case he changed his mind.”
Kellie’s planning paid off as the veteran changed his mind.
“When our veterans take a lap around the oval, as soon as they get on the grass, our members and supporters stand and applaud,” Black said.
“You can see when they go around the oval, everyone stands and acknowledges them. When the next buggy comes through they stand again and acknowledge.”
Black said she was overcome when she saw how much that experience meant to this one particular veteran.
“He was out there for five minutes, that’s all. But during that five minutes, he had over 40,000 people thank him personally for his service to our country,” Kellie said.
“He was in floods of tears and he thanked me on behalf of the club.
“He said it was the first time ever that he felt appreciated for his service. He had always held that acknowledgement at an arms length.
“To this day, I’ve never been hugged so tightly. It was that gentleman just thanking us for that opportunity.
“You can get caught up in it, thinking about it – seeing the healing process, as that’s just one story from our 25 years.”
As event manager, Kellie controls everything on game day, and out of anyone at the club, she has the finger on the pulse of the fans.
She said the Len Hall game always showcases the best of the Freo Faithful.
“You can tell it means a great deal, just for the respect that they show our veterans,”Kellie said.
“During the observance ceremony, there’s a drum tap to call everyone’s attention. And as soon as our members and supporters hear that, everybody gets up and removes their hats.
“They’re in position straight away to show their respect.
“Throughout the day, if I see our veterans or current serving soldiers walk through the crowds, people are going up to them, shaking their hands and thanking them for their service.
“They’re blown away, they’re treated with the utmost respect that they deserve on a really important day.”
Kellie has worked for the club since 2004 and was one of the 75% of staff members who were stood down due to the league’s shutdown.
She said Fremantle was a part of her identity and she clearly couldn’t wait for football to return to the fans.
“I think being part of this football club, it’s all about connection. We want something to be connected to,” Kellie said.
“I feel very lucky, as in my opinion, I’ve got the best job at the club.
“I get to stand on the sidelines and see a player run out for the very first time and see the enormous pride on their mum and dads faces.
“I get to see their reactions when they go on to be announced as a life member. The words they speak when they win a Doig Medal.
“You feel the passion of the fans. Being on the oval after our win to make it into the grand final, trying to talk to Matthew Pavlich but not being able to hear him as it was just so loud.
“Even walking out on the oval after a loss and you see the pain and the hurt in our players eyes, wanting to wrap your arms around them because they’re your people. They’re a part of my family.”
