ANZAC Day – A Round to Remember

If a fierce rivalry between Swan Districts and East Fremantle wasn’t enough to get supporters flocking to Steel Blue Oval this weekend, add the fact that it is an ANZAC Day Round clash and you are guaranteed to see a battle out on the field.

The ANZAC Day games have become some of the most anticipated matches in the WAFL home and away fixture. Not only do spectators get to watch some great footy, the day is brimming with remembrance of those that have served and sacrificed for this great country.

This season’s tribute match honours Joe Pearce, a former Swans player who personifies the ANZAC spirit of courage, sacrifice, endurance and mateship.

Joe made his league debut for the black and whites in 1939. Just one year later he heeded his country’s call, joining the 2^nd/4^th machine gun battalion, D company.

Injured in battle in 1942, Joe was captured later that year by the Japanese in the fall of Singapore. He, along with other surviving members of his platoon, spent the remaining days in prisoner of war camps, including time in the infamous Changi Prison.

As the war ended, Joe was released from captivity and returned home, suffering with malnutrition and other ailments. With a strong determination to return to the football field, he was able to regain his health and once again pull on the boots for the Swans league side in 1946.

Retiring in 1951, Joe finished his footy career with 91 league games and a total of 35 Sandover Medal votes.

Joe passed in 2012 at the age of 95 years. He was inducted into the Swan Districts Hall of Fame in 2016, alongside club legends Bill Walker, John Cooper, Haydn Bunton Jr and John Todd.

With 94 former WAFL players losing their lives in combat, we not only salute those that have fallen during this football round, we also value our fellow countrymen and women who are currently serving for our freedom.

As always, there will plenty of fun for the kids on the day. Free upon entry, the Swans Play Zone will be open from 1:30pm with some of your kids’ favourite activities, including: Laser-Tag, Giant Slide, Water Slide, Spider Mountain Tower, Bouncy Castles, Face Painting, Colouring-in Competitions, and more.

During the WAFLW and WAFL league breaks, there will be some great prizes to win.     

Free footy’s will also be handed out by WAFLW and WAFL league players before their respective matches, along with an ANZAC Day parade comprising of seven military vehicles between the league games.

So don’t miss a moment of the fun. Head down to Steel Blue Oval this Saturday as we remember our ANZAC’s.