INDIGINE - PART TEN

INDIGINE - PART TEN by Whispering Jack

Austin Wonaeamirri was born on 2 October, 1988 in the remote community of Snake Bay and Milikapiti, on Melville Islands, part of the Tiwi Islands to the north of Darwin which produced the legendary VFL/AFL Rioli family (to who he is closely related) and dual Essendon premiership player Michael Long. He lost his mother at the age of 12 and was brought up by his father, Matthew, who tragically passed away last year in a car accident.

Young Austin graduated from the local competition to Northern Territory Football League club St Marys Football Club and from there was picked in the inaugural list of the Tiwi Bombers NTFL as one of its youngest stars. He was overlooked in the 2006 AFL Draft and moved to Adelaide to play for SANFL club Norwood in 2007. That year, he was voted as the Northern Territory's best player AFL National Under 18 Championships and, after being overlooked again in the national draft, he was snapped up three weeks later by Melbourne at number 19 in the rookie draft.

Wonaeamirri wasted no time convincing selectors that his ballwinning ability and skills on both sides of the body and his pace and ability to apply forward line pressure were of value to the club and, when Jack Grimes was placed on the long term injury list, he made his debut in round 3, 2008 against Geelong as a small crumbing forward. 

He was soon among the goals and a highlight was his performance in Melbourne's stunning round 7 comeback from 51 points down against Fremantle at the MCG when he kicked four goals including three in the final quarter which earned him an AFL Rising Star Award nomination. He also gained instant fame and recognition for the enthusiastic celebration of his goals which made him an overnight cult figure. 

Who could forget the scenes later in the season against Brisbane when, in front of his father Matthew who was guest of new club chairman Jimmy Stynes, "Aussie" starred in another upset Demon victory?

A loss of weight and a change of guernsey number 39 to 33 at the start of 2009 saw him star early with two goals for the Indigenous All-Stars but hamstring and knee injuries restricted his second season at the club. He was plagued again by hamstring injuries in 2010 but came back for the last six games before tragedy struck his life in the off season with the death of his father Matthew in a car accident followed a little over a month later by the passing of his mentor and cousin Maurice Rioli at the young age of 50 from a heart attack. 

Wonaeamirri struggled on his return to Melbourne and was granted a leave of absence to return to the Tiwi Islands to mourn and spend time in the solace of his home with his family hunting turtles and coming to terms with his losses. On his return through Casey, he injured his ankle and required an operation.

It is hoped he will come back better than ever in 2012 and recapture the form of his early days as a Demon. The 176cm, 80kg forward has played 31 games and kicked 37 in his all too brief career to date and we await his return to centre stage with great anticipation.

Melbourne drafted Bunbury teenage indigenous players Jamie Bennell and Neville Jetta at the 2008 national draft with picks 35 and 51 respectively. The pair had played alongside each other since primary school and later for WAFL club Swan Districts. They debuted together for the Demons in the opening round of the 2009 AFL season. 

The 179cm, 73kg Bennell, was predominantly played across half back at Melbourne in his first season but was moved to attack where he showed promise as a pacy crumbing forward, booting four goals in one game against Port Adelaide in Darwin. He also earned nominations for both Mark of the Year and Goal of the Year in the Round 7 loss to the Western Bulldogs.   

This year he spent more time down back and struggled at times although he passed the 50 game mark late in the season. He was used as the Substitute three times and also spent some time with the Casey Scorpions in the VFL.  

A 180cm, 81kg small forward, Neville Jetta played the first five matches of the 2009 and fifteen in total for the season but was plagued by a groin injury early in the following season and played six games before a drop in form saw him back in the VFL where he injured his shoulder. In  2011 he struggled for consistency and played only nine games returning to his best in the last two matches of the year. He required further surgery on his shoulder at the end of the season and is looking forward to better things in 2012.

Jetta's cousin Kelvin Lawrence is also at the club having been rookie listed from Western Australia at the end of the year. The clever young speedster impressed at times but is yet to make his AFL debut.

TO BE CONTINUED

This series is written in honour of the late Matthew Wonaeamirri, father of current Melbourne player Austin. Our hearts go out to all of the family.