Melissa Parke (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I am normally resistant to the temptation of getting involved in shallow state parochialism, but there is only so much that the men and women of Western Australia can bear. The omission this week of Dockers Captain Matthew Pavlich from the AFL All-Australian side is perhaps the best recent indication that when you come from the other side of the Nullarbor you have to be twice as good to be recognised half as often. With this season still unfinished, Pavlich has kicked more goals than any other player. At the end of the regular season, he finished second in the Coleman Medal and had more possessions, more goal assists and more score assists than the player who was selected at full forward, Geelong's Tom Hawkins.

In any case, I want to congratulate the Fremantle Dockers and their captain on what has been a magnificent effort this year. The coach Ross Lyon is right to say that the real achievements lie ahead and are yet to be won, but I know that win, lose or draw, Fremantle supporters have always been proud of the side, which plays with heart, loyalty and honour. In that way, the Fremantle Dockers certainly reflect and draw strength from the character and history of their home in Fremantle.