NAIDOC Week was celebrated by the Forrestdale Football Club on Saturday during the club’s Indigenous round.
The life of former club member Troy Jones was also commemorated during the special round which had the League Men win.
The special design of the club guernseys worn for the Indigenous round was said by the club to be a nod to the late Mr Jones.
“Before his passing, Troy created art that captured how he saw and felt the world,” the club said.
“Troy’s art was a glimpse into his spirit, his culture and his deep love for his people and this country.
“With the family’s blessing, a piece of his art will now live on through this year’s NAIDOC gurnsey. We will wear them with pride and respect and to carry on his legacy.”
The NAIDOC round coincided with Forrestdale home games played at William Skeet Oval, with small business owners and face painting also available for families and players.
A traditional smoking ceremony also marked the start of Indigenous celebrations, with player Mitchell Merritt performing the smoking ceremony alongside Chase Pracy and Adrian Tanner before the afternoon league game.
Forrestdale’s Saturday scores are below.
Men C2
Following the sacred Indigenous welcome to country and smoking ceremony, the league men’s team had a win against Quinns District.
In the final 70 to 55 score, Forrestdale were up 10 goals and 10 points while Quinns secured eight goals and seven points.
Player Jayden Hollings kicked three goals for the team, while Blake Collins kicked two and players Hayden Eades, Preston Roach and vice-captain Braiden Quartermaine kicked one each.
The Forrestdale men’s league team is sitting first on the ladder with 44 points from 11 wins and only one loss.
Reserves
The Forrestdale Reserves also had a win against Quinns District in a 72 to 40 final score.
Forrestdale kicked 11 goals and six points, while Quinns only kicked six goals and four points.
Steven Farmer and Arthur Williams both kicked two goals, while players Preston Woodward, Steven Ledger, Jack O’Reilly, Izaac Spronck, Kelvin Ishiguchi, Arnold Punch and Trent Simpson all kicked one goal each.
The Reserves are fourth on the ladder with 26 points made up of six wins, five losses and one draw.
Laurie Keene Colts
The Forrestdale Colts lost for round 13 against Quinns District in a narrow miss.
The final score of 45 to 60 meant Forrestdale was behind with six goals and nine points compared to Quinns’ nine goals and six points.
Three goals were kicked by Forrestdale’s vice-captain Jerome Miller and two goals kicked by Tre Hutchings.
One goal was also kicked by captain Korbin Mainard, Joel Merrit, Tyler Morley and Jamual Miller.
The Colts are tied sixth on the ladder on 12 points with Ellenbrook after having three wins, seven losses and two draws this season so far.
Thirds
Forrestdale thirds (E1S) team had a successful game on Saturday against Brentwood Booragoon.
The final 45 to 32 score on home ground showed Forrestdale was in it to win it on the weekend, kicking seven goals and three points.
Booragoon only managed to get four goals and eight points through on Saturday.
Isaiah DellaFranca kicked two goals for Forrestdale, with Jack Tognolini, Taj Hickey, Jacob Ryan, Kaylem Thorne and Blake Lazic kicking one each.
Forrestdale thirds are only two points behind Booragoon on the ladder sitting with 14 points at sixth place.
They have won three games, lost eight and drew one this season with 12 games played so far.
Women’s
Forrestdale women’s had an unfortunate huge loss against Kwinana on home ground, with Kwinana proving they’re the team to beat this women’s football season.
The women were thumped in a 78 to zero final score, with Kwinana kicking 11 goals and 12 points.
With Kwinana remaining top of the ladder with no losses or draws this season, only wins, it was a tough game for the Forrestdale women as they sit eighth on the ladder.
With two wins and nine losses making up eight points, they match Cockburn Cobras on the ladder who also has eight points.
The women have a bye this weekend to recover for next week where they take on their ladder partner in Cockburn.
