Record crowds at WA Day Long WeekendWednesday, June 5, 2024 - 3:45 PM

WA footy fans showed their incredible support for local football by showing up in record numbers to attend the five games across the Activ WA Day Round this past weekend. 

More than 17,000 fans attended the five WAFL games over the weekend.

The WA Day public holiday derby matches between South Fremantle vs East Fremantle and West Perth vs East Perth drew thousands of spectators, contributing to a memorable weekend of sport.

Close to 7,500 fans attended the Fremantle derby, which also hosted WAFL Wonderland, providing a carnival atmosphere and plenty of activities for the kids. This game highlighted the community's passion for supporting local football and the family-friendly nature of our events.

This match also broke records, with the highest WAFL attendance, outside finals, since the Round 10 derby between East Fremantle and South Fremantle in 2015.

Up in Joondalup, the Perth derby (West Perth v East Perth) drew crowds of over 4,500 people witnessing a nail-biting three-point victory by East Perth. The excitement and intensity of the match kept fans on the edge of their seats, showcasing the competitiveness of the WAFL competition.

Perth Football Club moved their home game to their regional district in Northam, where locals turned out in force and witnessed the West Coast Eagles mid-season recruit Jack Hutchinson kick five goals in his WAFL debut. 

As part of the road-trip to Northam, Perth and the West Coast Eagles hosted training sessions and community visits.

By taking the games to regional areas, we ensure football is accessible to all and highlight the player pathway for young footballers.

West Australian Football Commission Executive Manager – Football Operations, Scott Baker said the crowd figures are a testament to the quality of the game environment, as well as the high skill level shown by the players within our competition.

"We are thrilled to see such incredible support from our fans," Baker said 

"The energy and passion from the community is what makes our games so special. 

“This year, with the introduction of WAFL Wonderland we have looked to enhance fans’ game-day experience, transforming a day at the WAFL into an engaging family-friendly event.

“Beyond the excitement of the football match, we've included a range of activities for kids, exciting giveaways, and a variety of food and beverage options – it's a complete entertainment package for the whole family."

The attendance figures for the weekend games:
South Fremantle vs. East Fremantle: 7,480 attendees
West Perth vs. East Perth: 4,530 attendees
Perth vs. West Coast Eagles: 4,000 attendees
Subiaco vs. Swan Districts: 1,500 attendees
Claremont vs Peel: 1,200 attendees