Falcons Favourite Joins West Perth EliteWednesday, June 4, 2025 - 9:45 AM

Veteran West Perth midfielder Shane Nelson is about to join an elite group of champions at his club.

Nelson plays his 250th Sullivan Logistics WAFL match for the club this weekend when the Falcons host East Fremantle at HIF  Health Insurance Oval, making him the ninth player from West Perth to reach the milestone.

Mel Whinnen (371 games) and Bill Dempsey (343 games) stand alone as the club’s only 300 game players.

“It’s a huge honour to reach the 250-game milestone,” Nelson said.

“It wasn’t a goal I set at the start of my career, but to now reach 250 games with a club as great and as rich in history as West Perth is something I’m incredibly proud of.

“To be the ninth player in the club’s history to achieve this, alongside some of the greatest to ever wear the West Perth jumper like Whinnen, Dempsey, and Fong makes it all the more special.”

Nelson began his career at West Perth in 2012 and is now into his 14th season.

“I've been fortunate to stay reasonably healthy throughout my career,” he said.

“From a young age, I was taught the importance of core strength and stretching, and those habits have stuck with me ever since.

“But I believe the key has really been finding the right balance between training and recovery consistently and loading the body in a smart way so it can handle the physical demands of playing footy year after year.”

A two-time Premiership player, Nelson collected 36 disposals and kicked a goal in the 2013 triumph over East Perth, and in 2022 picked up 22 disposals as the Falcons beat Claremont at the club’s spiritual home Leederville Oval.

“Winning the premiership in 2022 was an incredible feeling, one that reflected not just the effort we put in that season, but the years of hard work that led up to it,” Nelson said.

“The time we spent building our squad, shaping our culture, and developing resilience through the highs and lows made that moment even more special.

“The heartbreaks of losing Preliminary Finals and Grand Finals in previous years had been tough, but we took lessons from those experiences, and when the final siren sounded, it all felt worth it.

“I remember running straight to my great mate Aaron Black and giving him a hug, before we were swarmed by West Perth supporters.

“Celebrating with the boys, seeing the joy on everyone’s faces, and then watching Darren Harris get lifted into the air, fist-pumping the crowd was unreal.

“To look around and see the happiness it brought to the entire playing group, support staff, coaches, and supporters is something I’ll never forget.”

Despite being a prominent midfielder for the more than a decade Nelson is still at a loss as to why he was consistently overlooked at AFL Drafts.

“It's hard to say for sure, because I never really received any direct feedback from recruiters or clubs about how close I actually came,” Nelson said.

“But I’d like to think I was reasonably close, especially given that I attended the National Draft Combine and had conversations with quite a few clubs over the two or three years after I missed out on the first draft.

“Unfortunately, it just wasn’t meant to be.”

The 32 year-old however has few regrets spending his career at a football club which is dear to his heart.

“The best part of my football journey has been the people I’ve met along the way whether it’s teammates, coaches, or supporters,” he said.

“The lifelong friendships I’ve made and the experiences I’ve been privileged to share with so many have meant the world to me.

“Going through the highs and lows together in pursuit of success is something I’ll always cherish.”

Nelson hasn’t ruled out the prospect of becoming a 300 gamer, with he and great mate Aaron Black within reach of the magical milestone.

“Reaching 300 games sounds great, but it’s something I’ll continue to assess at the end of each season,” Nelson said.

“If my body is still holding up well, my form is strong enough to compete at this level, and I’m mentally sharp enough to handle the demands, then I’ll keep playing for as long as I can.

“I love the game and there’s nothing better than pulling on the West Perth jumper each week and going into battle with the boys.”

Like any athlete, Nelson has made many sacrifices, but he’s paid tribute to those who played a major role in helping him live out his dream.

“There have been so many incredible people who have played a key role in helping me reach 250 games,” he said.

“My Mum and Dad, who introduced me to footy when I was just 5 years old.

“I’ll never be able to fully express my gratitude for everything they've done for me throughout my journey.

“A special mention also goes to my wife Anita who has been my biggest supporter from the very beginning of my WAFL career.

“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work with four amazing coaches who have shaped me both as a player and as a person including Bill Monaghan, Geoff Valentine, Darren Harris and Jason Salecic.

“To the physios, trainers, and strength and conditioning staff who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to keep me fit, healthy, and ready to compete week in and week out.

“Lastly, to all my teammates, past and present thank you.

“It’s been a privilege to play alongside you throughout my career and you have all made the footy club a great place to be.”

For so many at the Falcons, the privilege has been theirs.