Austin Wonaeamirri
Encyclopedia
Austin Wonaeamirri is a professional Australian rules football
player of indigenous (Tiwi
) origin. He previously played for the Melbourne Football Club
in the Australian Football League
(AFL).
in the remote community of Snake Bay and Milikapiti
, on Melville Island. He began playing football at the age of six and as a junior, he played in the Tiwi Islands Football League
. He lost his mother at the age of 12 and was brought up by his father, Matthew.
Wonaeamirri played senior football in both the TIFL and the Northern Territory Football League
in Darwin, Northern Territory
, where he was a junior star for the St Marys Football Club
.
He was named in the inaugural list of the Tiwi Bombers, as one of their youngest stars. He was a solid contributor for the Bombers during the record thrashing of Rumbalara Football Club
in their historic encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
as a curtainraiser to the "Dreamtime at the 'G" match between the Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers.
After being overlooked in the 2006 AFL Draft
, Wonaeamirri moved to Adelaide
in South Australia to play in the SANFL for the Norwood Football Club
to increase his chances of being drafted from a more competitive league.
That year he represented Australia's indigenous youth on tour to South Africa with the "Flying Boomerangs
" to play against the South Africa's Buffaloes.
After a solid season with Norwood, he nominated for the AFL Draft
later that year.
After strong performances in the 2007 AFL National Under 18 Championships for the Northern Territory
where he was voted the Territory's best player at the tournament, he attracted the interest of talent scouts.
star Alwyn Davey
, the brother of Melbourne's forward-cum-midfielder Aaron Davey
. Despite these things the Melbourne Demons picked him up in the 2007 Rookie draft
.
He joined Aaron Davey and Matthew Whelan
as current Melbourne Demons players from Darwin.
An injury to Jack Grimes
which put him on the long term injury list paved the way for Wonaeamirri to debut in round 3, 2008 against Geelong. With eight kicks and four tackles, the short forward did enough to earn him a spot and play consecutive matches in the next few games. In his second game against North Melbourne
, he was impressive, kicking two goals. Against the Brisbane Lions
at the Brisbane Cricket Ground
, Wonaeamirri also starred with three goals.
The breakthrough for Wonaeamirri was his four goals in the stirring round 7 come-from-behind victory against the Fremantle
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
. One of his goals was at a critical point in the game, helping his team steal the lead for the first time in the game and for good. His final quarter produced a total of three goals, when the game was still in the balance. With his enthusiastic celebrations he established himself as a cult figure, with many nicknaming him "Aussie" and "Wonna". He picked up an AFL Rising Star Award
nomination for his outstanding performance against the Dockers. He would ultimately receive one vote to finish tenth for the award.
In just his first season with Melbourne, he finished second in the club goalkicking for the year behind Brad Miller
.
In the off-season, Wonaeamirri returned to Bathurst Island for the first time since the AFL season where he was held with celebrity status.
In 2009, Wonaeamirri chose to change from guernsey number 39 to 33, a number previously worn by indigenous idols Jeff Farmer
and Byron Pickett
. He lost weight and was selected for the Indigenous All-Stars to play against the Adelaide Crows
, where he kicked two goals and was named among the best for the side.
Wonaeamirri had a poor 2011 season, partially due to his father's death in May, which derailed his pre-season. He took time off and returned home to the Tiwi Islands before returning to Melbourne midway through the season and managing to play five matches. At season's end, new coach Mark Neeld
decided to delist Wonaeamirri.
that has inspired his nickname Austin "Turtle" Wonaeamirri within football circles. Coach Dean Bailey raised concerns about Austin's passion for turtle meat which dietitians have said has a high fat content.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
player of indigenous (Tiwi
Tiwi people
The Tiwi people are one of the many Indigenous groups of Australia. Nearly 2,500 Tiwi live in the Bathurst and Melville Islands, which make up the Tiwi Islands....
) origin. He previously played for the Melbourne Football Club
Melbourne Football Club
The Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the Australian Football League , based in Melbourne, Victoria....
in the Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(AFL).
Early life
Wonaeamirri was born and grew up on the Tiwi IslandsTiwi Islands
The Tiwi Islands are part of Australia's Northern Territory, north of Darwin where the Arafura Sea joins the Timor Sea. They comprise Melville Island and Bathurst Island, with a combined area of ....
in the remote community of Snake Bay and Milikapiti
Milikapiti, Northern Territory
Milikapiti is a village on the northern coast of Melville Island, Northern Territory, Australia. It is by air from Darwin.Tiwi Travel fly twice daily to and from Darwin servicing Milikapiti.The flight takes approximately 25 minutes...
, on Melville Island. He began playing football at the age of six and as a junior, he played in the Tiwi Islands Football League
Tiwi Islands Football League
The Tiwi Islands Football League is an Australian rules football competition in the Tiwi Islands, Northern Territory, Australia.Australian Rules football is the most popular sport on the Tiwi Islands....
. He lost his mother at the age of 12 and was brought up by his father, Matthew.
Wonaeamirri played senior football in both the TIFL and the Northern Territory Football League
Northern Territory Football League
The Northern Territory Football League is an 8 team Australian rules football semi-professional league operating in Darwin in the Northern Territory.The premier grade is the largest Australian rules football league in the Northern Territory...
in Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin, Northern Territory
Darwin is the capital city of the Northern Territory, Australia. Situated on the Timor Sea, Darwin has a population of 127,500, making it by far the largest and most populated city in the sparsely populated Northern Territory, but the least populous of all Australia's capital cities...
, where he was a junior star for the St Marys Football Club
St Marys Football Club
The St Marys Football Club, nicknamed, Saints, formed in 1952 is a member club of the Northern Territory Football League. It is famous for its record of success, with 28 NTFL premierships and 55 out of 57 possible final appearances....
.
He was named in the inaugural list of the Tiwi Bombers, as one of their youngest stars. He was a solid contributor for the Bombers during the record thrashing of Rumbalara Football Club
Rumbalara Football Club
The Rumbalara Football Club, nicknamed Rumba, is an Australian Rules Football club playing in the Murray Football League since 2006.The club is based in the city of Shepparton located in the north of Victoria. The club is affiliated with the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-Operative...
in their historic encounter at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
as a curtainraiser to the "Dreamtime at the 'G" match between the Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers.
After being overlooked in the 2006 AFL Draft
2006 AFL Draft
The 2006 AFL Draft is a recent national draft of the Australian Football League. The AFL Draft is the annual draft of talented players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League....
, Wonaeamirri moved to Adelaide
Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
in South Australia to play in the SANFL for the Norwood Football Club
Norwood Football Club
Norwood Football Club, nicknamed, Redlegs, is an Australian rules football club belonging to the South Australian National Football League in the state of South Australia...
to increase his chances of being drafted from a more competitive league.
That year he represented Australia's indigenous youth on tour to South Africa with the "Flying Boomerangs
Flying Boomerangs
The Flying Boomerangs are the underage Indigenous Australian Australian rules football team.The team has played tests against the South African national Australian rules football team in both Australia and South Africa and more recently against an underage Papua New Guinea, the first international...
" to play against the South Africa's Buffaloes.
After a solid season with Norwood, he nominated for the AFL Draft
AFL Draft
The AFL Draft is the annual draft of new unsigned players by Australian rules football teams that participate in the main competition of that sport, the Australian Football League.-History:...
later that year.
After strong performances in the 2007 AFL National Under 18 Championships for the Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
where he was voted the Territory's best player at the tournament, he attracted the interest of talent scouts.
AFL career
The small crumbing forward was tipped by some to be selected in the national draft with his pace and ability to apply forward line pressure, run down opponents, ballwinning ability and skills on both sides of the body being a feature of his game. Some were critical of him being slightly overweight for an AFL footballer, while his short stature may have put some clubs off. Others likened him to the Davey brothers, and in particular, the shorter but speedy Essendon Football ClubEssendon Football Club
The Essendon Football Club, nicknamed The Bombers, is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League...
star Alwyn Davey
Alwyn Davey
Alwyn Davey is a professional Australian rules footballer who currently plays for the Essendon Football Club of the Australian Football League.-Early life:...
, the brother of Melbourne's forward-cum-midfielder Aaron Davey
Aaron Davey
Aaron Davey is a professional Australian rules football player of Indigenous Australian heritage. He currently plays for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League ....
. Despite these things the Melbourne Demons picked him up in the 2007 Rookie draft
2007 AFL Draft
The 2007 AFL Draft consisted of four opportunities for player acquisitions during the 2007/08 Australian Football League off-season. These were trade week, the National Draft, the Pre-Season Draft and the Rookie Draft.- Trades :...
.
He joined Aaron Davey and Matthew Whelan
Matthew Whelan
Matthew Whelan is a former professional Australian rules football player.Wearing the number 45 jersey, Whelan was reliable defender/back pocket known by Demons fans simply as the "Wheels". He also earned the nickname "Wrecker" for his big hits and tough and uncompromisingly defensive style of...
as current Melbourne Demons players from Darwin.
An injury to Jack Grimes
Jack Grimes (Australian rules footballer)
Jack Grimes is a professional Australian rules footballer, playing for the Melbourne Football Club. He was named as an All-Australian at the 2007 NAB AFL U18 Championships. He was drafted by Melbourne in the 2007 National Draft at pick 14, but was placed on the long term injury list due to...
which put him on the long term injury list paved the way for Wonaeamirri to debut in round 3, 2008 against Geelong. With eight kicks and four tackles, the short forward did enough to earn him a spot and play consecutive matches in the next few games. In his second game against North Melbourne
North Melbourne Football Club
The North Melbourne Football Club, nicknamed The Kangaroos, is the fourth oldest Australian rules football club in the Australian Football League and is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Australia and the world...
, he was impressive, kicking two goals. Against the Brisbane Lions
Brisbane Lions
The Brisbane Lions is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Brisbane, Queensland. The club was formed from the merger of the Brisbane Bears and the Fitzroy Lions in 1996...
at the Brisbane Cricket Ground
Brisbane Cricket Ground
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, commonly known as The Gabba, is a major sports stadium in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland. It is named after the suburb of Woolloongabba, in which it is located....
, Wonaeamirri also starred with three goals.
The breakthrough for Wonaeamirri was his four goals in the stirring round 7 come-from-behind victory against the Fremantle
Fremantle Football Club
The Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed The Dockers, is an Australian rules football team which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in the port city of Fremantle at the mouth of the Swan River in Western Australia...
at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
Melbourne Cricket Ground
The Melbourne Cricket Ground is an Australian sports stadium located in Yarra Park, Melbourne and is home to the Melbourne Cricket Club. It is the tenth largest stadium in the world, the largest in Australia, the largest stadium for playing cricket, and holds the world record for the highest light...
. One of his goals was at a critical point in the game, helping his team steal the lead for the first time in the game and for good. His final quarter produced a total of three goals, when the game was still in the balance. With his enthusiastic celebrations he established himself as a cult figure, with many nicknaming him "Aussie" and "Wonna". He picked up an AFL Rising Star Award
AFL Rising Star award
The NAB AFL Rising Star award is given annually to a standout young player in the Australian Football League. Since 2007 the winner has been presented with the Ron Evans Medal and was first awarded in 1993...
nomination for his outstanding performance against the Dockers. He would ultimately receive one vote to finish tenth for the award.
In just his first season with Melbourne, he finished second in the club goalkicking for the year behind Brad Miller
Brad Miller (footballer)
Brad Miller is an Australian rules footballer, who currently plays with Richmond after previously playing with the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League until he was delisted at the end of the 2010 season.-Early life:Brad is the son of Neville Miller, who played 30 games with...
.
In the off-season, Wonaeamirri returned to Bathurst Island for the first time since the AFL season where he was held with celebrity status.
In 2009, Wonaeamirri chose to change from guernsey number 39 to 33, a number previously worn by indigenous idols Jeff Farmer
Jeff Farmer (footballer)
Jeff Farmer is a former Australian rules footballer of Aboriginal descent. He was the first indigenous player to kick 400 goals in the Australian Football League .-Melbourne career:...
and Byron Pickett
Byron Pickett
Byron Pickett is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played with three clubs in the AFL. He was known as a big game player as well as for his strength, hard bumps and tough approach to the game. Pickett is one of 12 players with two premiership medallions, a Norm Smith Medal...
. He lost weight and was selected for the Indigenous All-Stars to play against the Adelaide Crows
Adelaide Crows
The Adelaide Football Club, nicknamed The Crows, is a professional Australian rules football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, playing in the Australian Football League ....
, where he kicked two goals and was named among the best for the side.
Wonaeamirri had a poor 2011 season, partially due to his father's death in May, which derailed his pre-season. He took time off and returned home to the Tiwi Islands before returning to Melbourne midway through the season and managing to play five matches. At season's end, new coach Mark Neeld
Mark Neeld
Mark "Neeldy" Neeld is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and Richmond in the Australian Football League during the 1990s. He is currently the senior coach of the Melbourne Football Club.-Playing Career:...
decided to delist Wonaeamirri.
Personal life
Austin Wonaeamirri likes to return to his home in Tiwi Islands as much as possible. In his free time, he enjoys talking to locals in the community, seeing friends and making stews. But it is his passion for hunting sea turtles including Flatback TurtleFlatback Turtle
The flatback sea turtle is a sea turtle that is endemic to the continental shelf of Australia. Flatback turtles belong to the Cheloniidae, or sea turtle, superfamily and are the only species found in the genus Natator....
that has inspired his nickname Austin "Turtle" Wonaeamirri within football circles. Coach Dean Bailey raised concerns about Austin's passion for turtle meat which dietitians have said has a high fat content.