How does "tradition" begin?

[ImperialPurple]

The thread on Jumper Numbers got me to thinking about something I would like to see happen at our club. Retiring players, who have been around for a while and contributed well to the club, passing on their jumpers to an up and coming youngster to carry on the tradition of wearing that number with pride and passion for the jumper. So far, we have really only had one player retire from our club, that we - the fans - have attributed "Freo legend status" to. One Dale Kickett. A "favourite son".

There have been others who have come and gone and shown true "Freo Spirit".

• Chucky Norrish was a hard-worker (but I would argue nowhere near Kickett in Favourite Son status) but it's too late for him now anyway.

• Clive left with a bit of a sour taste after wanting to play on but being delisted. There was no fanfare, no farewell game, no thought given to who would take his jumper number. Same with Fletch.

• Others like Ben Allan, Peter Mann retired when the club was still in its infancy, and still trying to get established - without really thinking too much about establishing traditons.

• And as good as Mods was for our club, and as much as we loved him - he remains an Adelaide legend who happened to finish off his career at Freo.

• And Winnie and Spider Burton, and a few others like them, were traded and recognised more for their achievements at their other clubs than at Freo.

So that leaves Dale Kickett as the lone "retired" Freo legend and favourite Son (IMHO of course). Just after he (was) retired in 2002, Dessie came to our club, and I remember Des saying at the time that he had spoken to Kicketty and either Kicketty had asked him, or he asked Kicketty if he could wear the #11. Whichever way it went, Des reckoned he was honoured to be able to wear Dale Kickett's number as he was a Freo Footy Club legend and unofficial leader of the Brothers up until that time.

Over the next couple of years, we will have a number of true Freo stalwarts - and dare I say "legends and Favourite Sons" who will retire from AFL footy and who should, I believe, choose a youngster to pass their jumper onto. I believe St Kilda do this, and I reckon it's a great way to instil pride in the jumper.

This year we will have #23 and #10 become available, and possibly #8 and #32(please nooooooooo Belly) - I'd love to see the guys who have worn these jumpers with such distinction for the Freo Footy Club, choose a young player and give their jumper to them, rather than these numbers just go back into the pool to be picked up by whomever happens to need / want a new number.

 

[prattsta]

Nice post.

I noticed before the bulldogs game Malcolm Lynch was presented his jumper by the players on the ground (in their huddle). I thought this would also be a great tradition the freo boys could start. Surely this would give the jumper much more meaning than if it was simply handed to you by some random management dude/dudette...

 

[pistol17]

Nice post.

I noticed before the bulldogs game Malcolm Lynch was presented his jumper by the players on the ground (in their huddle). I thought this would also be a great tradition the freo boys could start. Surely this would give the jumper much more meaning than if it was simply handed to you by some random management dude/dudette...

Yea the same as a guy receiving the baggy green cap from either the captain or a past champion. Would be a great idea.

 

[masai]

I reckon Macca might have tears in his eyes when he passes the number 8 over to Foster.

If there is no obvious candidate for the jumpers, they should be held aside for a season as a mark of respect.

 

[ImperialPurple]

I reckon Macca might have tears in his eyes when he passes the number 8 over to Foster.

If there is no obvious candidate for the jumpers, they should be held aside for a season as a mark of respect.

And Cookie to hand over his #10 to Clayton Collard.


This excerpt from fremantlefc.com.au:

A Quick Kick - Clayton Collard
3:17 PM Wed 15 August, 2007 | Back

for fremantlefc.com.au

News

Clayton Collard joined Fremantle at the end of 2006 as the club’s first selection in the 2006 NAB AFL Draft. Clayton represented WA at under 16 and under18 level and attended the AIS/AFL Academy. Making his AFL debut in Round 9 against St Kilda, Clayton looms as a Fremantle talent of the future.


Des Headland said the eight Indigenous players at the club are very close. How valuable is it having the older players show you the way at Fremantle?
It’s good. I look up to Des, Troy Cook and Jeff Farmer, so being part of the team with those kind of guys is good for me because they took me under their wing as soon as I got here and looked after me. I relate to them well because we have the same sort of background.

You have said that Jeff Farmer is your football hero. What is it you admire about him?
I’m a goal kicker and I respect the way he kicks his goals and how hard he works for his goals. He also has really good footy smarts and is a good footballer and a good bloke as well. At training he tells me where to go and stand to get the ball and how to crumb the ball. He’s looked after me and helps me out at every training session.


Your debut match was also the first game in the AFL Indigenous Round. How special was it to you to be making your debut in that particular match?
It was really special. Cookie grabbed me before the game and had a word with me to say how special and important the week was and just to do my best. You could see the six Indigenous boys were pumped up and I just wanted to make sure I played my best. I enjoyed it.

 

[peppy la pew]

Geez IP that is some good reading there, i hope the club look after Cookie when his playing days are over. He will be invaluable to us as a clubman and perhaps, a tackling coach ?

 

[dockers_bengals]

Great thread I.P.
I think Ben Allen came over at the end of his career as well.
Yep would be good to see them hand over their numbers even if it isn't next year.

 

[The Night Shift]

Keep bashing the eagles in the derby. Thats a good tradition Well... it's good for a laugh anyways.....

 

[Wizard]

I remember when Ben Allan left the club Blacky took over the #7 as Allan was his childhood hero. Doesnt mean much now cos he is back to the #21 but thought you would all like to know.

This is how i see it for the 2008 season.

#8: ??
#10: Clayton Collard
#23: Michael Johnson
#32: Peter Bell

 

[bushie]

The thread on Jumper Numbers got me to thinking about something I would like to see happen at our club. Retiring players, who have been around for a while and contributed well to the club, passing on their jumpers to an up and coming youngster to carry on the tradition of wearing that number with pride and passion for the jumper. So far, we have really only had one player retire from our club, that we - the fans - have attributed "Freo legend status" to. One Dale Kickett. A "favourite son".

There have been others who have come and gone and shown true "Freo Spirit".

• Chucky Norrish was a hard-worker (but I would argue nowhere near Kickett in Favourite Son status) but it's too late for him now anyway.

• Clive left with a bit of a sour taste after wanting to play on but being delisted. There was no fanfare, no farewell game, no thought given to who would take his jumper number. Same with Fletch.

• Others like Ben Allan, Peter Mann retired when the club was still in its infancy, and still trying to get established - without really thinking too much about establishing traditons.

• And as good as Mods was for our club, and as much as we loved him - he remains an Adelaide legend who happened to finish off his career at Freo.

• And Winnie and Spider Burton, and a few others like them, were traded and recognised more for their achievements at their other clubs than at Freo.

So that leaves Dale Kickett as the lone "retired" Freo legend and favourite Son (IMHO of course). Just after he (was) retired in 2002, Dessie came to our club, and I remember Des saying at the time that he had spoken to Kicketty and either Kicketty had asked him, or he asked Kicketty if he could wear the #11. Whichever way it went, Des reckoned he was honoured to be able to wear Dale Kickett's number as he was a Freo Footy Club legend and unofficial leader of the Brothers up until that time.

Over the next couple of years, we will have a number of true Freo stalwarts - and dare I say "legends and Favourite Sons" who will retire from AFL footy and who should, I believe, choose a youngster to pass their jumper onto. I believe St Kilda do this, and I reckon it's a great way to instil pride in the jumper.

This year we will have #23 and #10 become available, and possibly #8 and #32(please nooooooooo Belly) - I'd love to see the guys who have worn these jumpers with such distinction for the Freo Footy Club, choose a young player and give their jumper to them, rather than these numbers just go back into the pool to be picked up by whomever happens to need / want a new number.

Fantastic post and idea IP.

I reckon that you should send it into Schwabby and see what reaction you get.