Austin Wonaeamirri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Austin Wonaeamirri |
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Austin Wonaeamirri playing for the Tiwi Bombers in February 2016
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| Personal information | |||
| Full name | Austin Wonaeamirri | ||
| Date of birth | 2 October 1988 | ||
| Place of birth | Milikapiti, Melville Island, Northern Territory | ||
| Original team | St Mary's Football Club (NTFL) | ||
| Draft | 19th overall, 2007 AFL Rookie Draft Melbourne |
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| Position(s) | Forward pocket | ||
| Career highlights | |||
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Austin Wonaeamirri (born 2 October 1988) is a former professional Australian rules football player. He is from the Tiwi Indigenous community. Austin used to play for the Melbourne Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
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Early Life and Football Beginnings
Austin Wonaeamirri was born on 2 October 1988. He grew up on the Tiwi Islands, which are remote islands in Australia's Northern Territory. His childhood homes were in Snake Bay and Milikapiti on Melville Island.
He started playing football when he was just six years old. As a young player, he played for the Muluwurri Magpies in the Tiwi Islands Football League. He also joined the senior team at a young age. When he was 12, he lost his mother and was then raised by his father, Matthew.
Austin also played senior football in the Northern Territory Football League in Darwin, Northern Territory. Here, he was a junior star for the St Mary's Football Club.
Joining the Tiwi Bombers
Austin was chosen for the first-ever team of the Tiwi Bombers. He was one of their youngest stars. He played well for the Bombers in a big game against the Rumbalara Football Club. This historic match was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It was a warm-up game before the "Dreamtime at the 'G" match. That main game was between the Essendon Bombers and Richmond Tigers.
Moving to Adelaide
After not being picked in the 2006 AFL Draft, Austin moved to Adelaide in South Australia. He joined the Norwood Football Club in the SANFL. This league was more competitive, and he hoped it would help him get noticed by AFL teams.
That same year, he represented young Indigenous Australians on a trip to South Africa. He played with the "Flying Boomerangs" team against the South Africa's Buffaloes. After a good season with Norwood, he put his name forward for the AFL Draft again.
He also played very well in the 2007 AFL Under 18 Championships for the Northern Territory. He was voted the best player for the Territory team at this tournament. This strong performance caught the eye of many talent scouts.
AFL Career with Melbourne Demons
Austin Wonaeamirri was known as a "crumbing forward." This means he was a smaller player who was good at picking up loose balls near the goal. People thought he might be chosen in the national draft. He was fast and good at putting pressure on opponents. He could also win the ball and use both sides of his body well. Some people worried he was a bit heavy or too short for an AFL player. Others compared him to the Davey brothers, especially Essendon Football Club star Alwyn Davey.
Despite these concerns, the Melbourne Demons picked him in the 2007 Rookie Draft. He joined Aaron Davey and Matthew Whelan as players from Darwin on the Melbourne team.
First Games and Rising Star Nomination
Austin got his chance to play in the AFL in Round 3, 2008, against Geelong. This happened because another player, Jack Grimes, was injured. In his first game, Austin had eight kicks and four tackles. He played well enough to keep his spot for the next few games. In his second game against North Melbourne, he kicked two goals. He also scored three goals against the Brisbane Lions.
His best game was in Round 7 against the Fremantle Dockers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Melbourne came from behind to win, and Austin kicked four goals. One of his goals was very important, helping his team take the lead for good. He kicked three goals in the final quarter when the game was still close. His excited celebrations made him a fan favorite. Many fans started calling him "Aussie" and "Wonna." For his great performance, he received an AFL Rising Star Award nomination. He ended up getting one vote for the award, finishing tenth.
In his very first season with Melbourne, Austin finished second in the club for total goals scored. Only Brad Miller kicked more goals.
Later Career and Challenges
In the off-season, Austin went back to Bathurst Island. He was treated like a celebrity there. In 2009, Austin changed his jersey number from 39 to 33. This number had been worn by famous Indigenous players like Jeff Farmer and Byron Pickett. He also lost weight and was chosen to play for the Indigenous All-Stars team against the Adelaide Crows. He kicked two goals in that game and was named among the best players.
Austin had a tough season in 2011. His father passed away in May, which affected his training before the season started. He took time off and went home to the Tiwi Islands. He returned to Melbourne later in the season and played five matches. At the end of the season, the new coach, Mark Neeld, decided that Austin would no longer play for the team.
Personal Life
Austin Wonaeamirri loves going back to his home in the Tiwi Islands whenever he can. In his free time, he enjoys talking to people in his community and seeing friends. He also likes making kangaroo stews.
He has a special passion for hunting sea turtles, especially the flatback turtle. This love for turtles earned him the nickname Austin "Turtle" Wonaeamirri among football players. His coach, Dean Bailey, even mentioned concerns about Austin's love for turtle meat. Dietitians had said that turtle meat can be high in fat.
Austin Wonaeamirri's favorite food is magpie goose.
