Milestone Man Leads Double Farewell Game

Emotions will be high when West Perth farewells two club legends in the final game of the season against Perth at HIF Health Insurance Oval on Saturday.

Aaron Black will celebrate his 300^th and final game of his career this weekend, while fellow veteran midfielder Shane Nelson will hang up the boots after 275 WAFL games with West Perth.

Black will become just the third West Perth player to reach 300 matches behind club legends Mel Whinnen (371) and Bill Dempsey (343).

“I think that I have made the most of very little from a talent perspective,” a modest Black said.

“Being a chubby, unathletic junior kid who didn’t really have any tricks who couldn’t kick it very far but had an uncanny ability to find the footy.”

As Black prepares to pull on the jumper for the final time, he has no regrets.

“I wouldn’t change anything across the journey,” he said.

“You win two flags and some individual awards across the way, plus make some lifelong friends and I can’t complain with what I have been able to achieve.”

Premierships in 2013 and 2022 are stand-out moments for Black, along with winning the 2014 Sandover Medal and two Fairest and Bests at the Falcons.

Then there was his one game at AFL level with the West Coast Eagles in 2022.

“I got to play that one game after more than a decade in the WAFL,” Black recalled.

“It’s a relatively cool story and I will cherish that memory.”

Black’s milestone match came later in the season than he’d planned.

“I wasn’t planning on breaking two ribs and piercing a lung in Round 1.”

The 33-year-old bows out with a lifetime of memories.

“I consider myself extremely lucky,” he said.

“I look at my ability to be available over 17 years and reach 300 games, and I am grateful to so many people who have played a massive part in my footy life.”

Shane Nelson puts a full stop to his career after 275 matches for West Perth in the WAFL, collecting a remarkable five Breckler Medals as the club’s Fairest and Best player alongside two premierships.

One of the great ball magnets of the modern era, Nelson collected a career-high 52 disposals against Perth in Round 23, 2014.

“As I reflect on my career, I feel incredibly fortunate to have played for so long at such a great club with such a rich history,” Nelson said.

“It’s going to be an emotional week, but I’m incredibly grateful for all the teammates, coaches, friends and people I’ve met along the way who have shared this journey with me.

“My favourite memories would have to be the 2 premierships in 2013 and 2022. Aswell as getting the opportunity to play alongside my younger brother Scott.”

Despite the Falcons claiming the wooden spoon this season, Saturday will be a celebration for two modern West Perth greats.