THE MARQUEE event on Fremantle's calendar during their three-day stay in Broome, the Community Evening, saw more than 1500 people make their way to the Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre to meet the players and see Fremantle in action on the training track.
 
The evening got underway with more than 500 lively five-12 year olds registering to take part in a NAB AFL Auskick Superclinic to learn football skills from some of Fremantle’s biggest stars.
 
Under the watchful eye of senior players Matthew Pavlich, Des Headland, Luke McPharlin and new recruits Stephen Hill, Hamish Shepheard and Matt DeBoer, the local children were put through a series of exciting and challenging drills aimed at improving their ball handling skills.

Pavlich said the travelling party felt right at home in Broome and the locals had demonstrated their passion for Fremantle by turning out in droves.

“We really enjoy coming out to events like this and to see so many kids taking part in this clinic is just fantastic,” Pavlich said.

“We have been made to feel at home in Broome and I hope the locals have enjoyed having us as much as we have enjoyed being here.”

After signing autographs for the excited Broome crowd, Fremantle players took to the training track with selected local talented players for a solid one-hour session which included full ground kicking drills and 200m time trials.

As one of the star attractions of Fremantle’s visit, Rhys Palmer didn’t disappoint the crowd with an impressive session, setting the standard for the local players.

“It was great to have the guys out there with us tonight. I’ve been in their shoes before where you get an opportunity like they have and it’s unreal,” Palmer said.

“They all showed some real talent and even with the wet footballs they had good control and were pretty strong overhead.

“Their foot skills were pretty solid as well. I don’t think there was a kick from any of the Broome boys that didn’t hit me laces out.”
 
Senior coach Mark Harvey also took time out to play kick-to-kick with local children, while assistant coaches Barry Mitchell and Dean Wallis conducted a coaching seminar for local sports administrators, coaches and players from the Broome-based Clontarf Academy.

Day three sees the reduced travelling party head out to remote communities in Derby, Beagle Bay, One Arm Point, Djaridjin/Lombadina and Bidyadanga to visit schools.

Rookie Casey Sibosado, will return home a Docker when he and Rhys Palmer head to his home community, Lombadina.

Sibosado was born in Derby and moved to the aboriginal community at Lombadina on the Dampier Peninsular as a three-year-old.

“I never thought I’d one day get the chance to represent myself, my family and aboriginal people as an AFL footballer in my home community,” Sibosado said.

“Going back so early in my time with Fremantle is a great opportunity for me to encourage people from my own community to take risks and then make the most of opportunities that [have been] presented to them.”