Fremantle Dockers supporters pay tribute to career of club legend and ‘great bloke' Michael ‘Sonny' Walters
The Dockers announced the veteran forward and popular clubman would hang up his boots immediately, bringing an end to his glittering 16-year AFL career.
The one club player — famously known as Sonny or Son Son — retires with 239 games and 365 goals to his name, as well as a 2019 All-Australian honour and five Fremantle leading goalkicker awards. He also captained the 2025 Indigenous All Stars side and won a WAFL flag with Swan Districts in 2010.
Dockers supporters and the footy world took to social media to congratulate Walters on his career, saying he will always remain a fan favourite.
'Truly sad to see him leave. An inspiration to his teammates and the wider indigenous communities,' Freo fanatic John Toomey posted on Facebook. 'A legend among his contemporaries and peers. He sits comfortably among our club champions.'
Paul Jarvis wrote: 'I'm going to miss seeing my favourite player on the paddock, the sense of humour in particular. Congratulations Son Son and thank you very much for all of it.'
'One of our greatest players ever. Thank you for everything Sonny. Brilliant player and person,' Facebook fan page Flagmantle posted.
'Dead set legend of the game and our club,' Robert Fiske said.
'Fabulous human who embodies everything we want in our club. Well Done Sonny … now get yourself enrolled in the coaching academy and get your bum back at Freo to teach our next gen.'
Gail Calleja posted: 'A champion of the game and for Fremantle Football Club.'
'A great player and more so a great club person,' said Anthony Dean Clarke.
Lee Clarke wrote on Facebook: 'You've been an outstanding and inspirational player Sonny, loved watching you, should be extremely proud of your career.'
West Coast supporter Nathan Rhodes said: 'I'm an Eagles fan but this one still hurts like recently Gov and Sheed did.'
'A legend. A great player who is a talented leader and role model for all players and young aspiring players,' Bev Maloney posted.
The West Australian subscriber Richard D commented: 'Well done Sonny a true champion.'
'Absolute legend, thanks for all the good times Sonny,' Steven H posted.
'Well done Sonny. A great career. Congratulations on making your own decision,' said Peter D.
Ian Dolling said: 'Fantastic career from a fantastic person.'
'There will never be another Michael Walters,' wrote Carissa Regterschot. 'What an absolute sad day in football, I'm absolutely heartbroken but I completely understand.'
Joe Mazza said: 'Sonny you have left an incredible legacy at this club and been a shining light in persistence, your example of mapping out an incredible career after a shaky start, where others may have given up, shows what can be achieved with hard work.'
Walters was set to speak at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Swans upset Freo in SCG thriller
Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir lamented a lacklustre first half from his side but remained defiant about their AFL finals prospects after an 11-point away loss to Sydney left them outside the top eight. The Swans, who never trailed, twice held a 20-point lead in the third quarter at the SCG before the Dockers clawed back to within a point in a nerve-shredding final quarter. But despite having plenty of ball In their offensive half, the visitors couldn't muster another major, with goals to Will Hayward and Hayden McLean securing Sydney a 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) victory. The Swans snapped Fremantle's six-match winning streak and with the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants all winning, the Dockers dropped from sixth to ninth. "We're a game out of the four, we lost a game, we're not out of it, (we'll) keep fighting," Longmuir said. Sydney rose to 10th with their third win in eight home games, but are still three wins out of the eight with seven rounds remaining. "We're not in a position to be able to go, 'Oh yeah, what's happening a month out'. We're just continually looking at what's right in front of us," Sydney coach Dean Cox said. McLean kicked three goals, with Joel Amartey, Jake Lloyd and James Jordon bagging two each in an intense contest which brought the first upset of a round in which the top nine faced the bottom nine. Fremantle had three more inside 50s and four more contested possessions while Sydney notched nine more clearances. Sydney scored 60 points from stoppages, with Longmuir saying clearances at the centre bounce was an issues for his team in the first half. "There was some structural set up stuff that wasn't right in the first half and those centre bounces were unacceptable," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance, which I'm proud of, but in the end they had too much class and finish than us." In-form Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy piled up a match-high 12 clearances and dominated early, but Sean Darcy fought back well In the second half. Jordon held Caleb Serong to just four touches in the first half and 11 for the game while also hurting the Dockers with two goals. "He was unbelievable," Cox said of Jordon. Captain Callum Mills topped Sydney's possessions list with 26, while fellow prime movers Errol Gulden and Chad Warner tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Fremantle forward Shai Bolton, playing his 150th AFL game, didn't touch the ball till late in the second quarter but was far more dangerous in the second half. Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy both kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nathan O'Driscoll accumulated 26 possessions and Andrew Bradshaw 24. After all the criticism of the SCG surface at the Paddington End over the past week there were no issues on a dry sunny Sydney day. Sydney will check on the condition of forward Tom Papley who was replaced at halftime after suffering a hamstring injury, and forward Joel Amartey, who had groin tightness. It was just Sydney's third home win in eight games. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir lamented a lacklustre first half from his side but remained defiant about their AFL finals prospects after an 11-point away loss to Sydney left them outside the top eight. The Swans, who never trailed, twice held a 20-point lead in the third quarter at the SCG before the Dockers clawed back to within a point in a nerve-shredding final quarter. But despite having plenty of ball In their offensive half, the visitors couldn't muster another major, with goals to Will Hayward and Hayden McLean securing Sydney a 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) victory. The Swans snapped Fremantle's six-match winning streak and with the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants all winning, the Dockers dropped from sixth to ninth. "We're a game out of the four, we lost a game, we're not out of it, (we'll) keep fighting," Longmuir said. Sydney rose to 10th with their third win in eight home games, but are still three wins out of the eight with seven rounds remaining. "We're not in a position to be able to go, 'Oh yeah, what's happening a month out'. We're just continually looking at what's right in front of us," Sydney coach Dean Cox said. McLean kicked three goals, with Joel Amartey, Jake Lloyd and James Jordon bagging two each in an intense contest which brought the first upset of a round in which the top nine faced the bottom nine. Fremantle had three more inside 50s and four more contested possessions while Sydney notched nine more clearances. Sydney scored 60 points from stoppages, with Longmuir saying clearances at the centre bounce was an issues for his team in the first half. "There was some structural set up stuff that wasn't right in the first half and those centre bounces were unacceptable," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance, which I'm proud of, but in the end they had too much class and finish than us." In-form Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy piled up a match-high 12 clearances and dominated early, but Sean Darcy fought back well In the second half. Jordon held Caleb Serong to just four touches in the first half and 11 for the game while also hurting the Dockers with two goals. "He was unbelievable," Cox said of Jordon. Captain Callum Mills topped Sydney's possessions list with 26, while fellow prime movers Errol Gulden and Chad Warner tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Fremantle forward Shai Bolton, playing his 150th AFL game, didn't touch the ball till late in the second quarter but was far more dangerous in the second half. Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy both kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nathan O'Driscoll accumulated 26 possessions and Andrew Bradshaw 24. After all the criticism of the SCG surface at the Paddington End over the past week there were no issues on a dry sunny Sydney day. Sydney will check on the condition of forward Tom Papley who was replaced at halftime after suffering a hamstring injury, and forward Joel Amartey, who had groin tightness. It was just Sydney's third home win in eight games. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir lamented a lacklustre first half from his side but remained defiant about their AFL finals prospects after an 11-point away loss to Sydney left them outside the top eight. The Swans, who never trailed, twice held a 20-point lead in the third quarter at the SCG before the Dockers clawed back to within a point in a nerve-shredding final quarter. But despite having plenty of ball In their offensive half, the visitors couldn't muster another major, with goals to Will Hayward and Hayden McLean securing Sydney a 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) victory. The Swans snapped Fremantle's six-match winning streak and with the Bulldogs, Suns and Giants all winning, the Dockers dropped from sixth to ninth. "We're a game out of the four, we lost a game, we're not out of it, (we'll) keep fighting," Longmuir said. Sydney rose to 10th with their third win in eight home games, but are still three wins out of the eight with seven rounds remaining. "We're not in a position to be able to go, 'Oh yeah, what's happening a month out'. We're just continually looking at what's right in front of us," Sydney coach Dean Cox said. McLean kicked three goals, with Joel Amartey, Jake Lloyd and James Jordon bagging two each in an intense contest which brought the first upset of a round in which the top nine faced the bottom nine. Fremantle had three more inside 50s and four more contested possessions while Sydney notched nine more clearances. Sydney scored 60 points from stoppages, with Longmuir saying clearances at the centre bounce was an issues for his team in the first half. "There was some structural set up stuff that wasn't right in the first half and those centre bounces were unacceptable," he said. "We gave ourselves a chance, which I'm proud of, but in the end they had too much class and finish than us." In-form Sydney ruckman Brodie Grundy piled up a match-high 12 clearances and dominated early, but Sean Darcy fought back well In the second half. Jordon held Caleb Serong to just four touches in the first half and 11 for the game while also hurting the Dockers with two goals. "He was unbelievable," Cox said of Jordon. Captain Callum Mills topped Sydney's possessions list with 26, while fellow prime movers Errol Gulden and Chad Warner tallied 25 and 24 respectively. Fremantle forward Shai Bolton, playing his 150th AFL game, didn't touch the ball till late in the second quarter but was far more dangerous in the second half. Luke Jackson and Josh Treacy both kicked two goals for Fremantle. Nathan O'Driscoll accumulated 26 possessions and Andrew Bradshaw 24. After all the criticism of the SCG surface at the Paddington End over the past week there were no issues on a dry sunny Sydney day. Sydney will check on the condition of forward Tom Papley who was replaced at halftime after suffering a hamstring injury, and forward Joel Amartey, who had groin tightness. It was just Sydney's third home win in eight games.
Courier-Mail
an hour ago
- Courier-Mail
AFL 2025 Sydney Swans defeat Fremantle Dockers, Round 17, as Tom Papley injured at the SCG
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Sydney Swans are still alive in season 2025 after a thrilling 11-point win over Fremantle on Sunday. But their 14.10 (94) to 12.11 (83) win has come at a cost with Joel Amartey (groin) limping off in the dying stages and Tom Papley (hamstring) subbed out at half time. It's another painful close loss for the Dockers, who missed the finals last year after several narrow defeats. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Sydney led from start to finish, as Freo's tough record against the Swans rolls on with a sixth loss in their last eight games. The Swans were out by 20 points in the third term before the Dockers found their fight through big man Luke Jackson (13 disposals, two goals) who kicked truly after the three quarter time siren. Injured star Tom Papley with Isaac Heeney after the win over Fremantle. (Photo by Phil Hillyard) Docker Jye Amiss had multiple chances to close the gap in the final term but blew them. When Michael Frederick put his running shot out on the full in the dying stages, Sydney were able to hang on for the win. Fremantle's top eight hopes now hang in the balance, but for Sydney they stay alive in season 2025, although coach Dean Cox is sweating on his latest injuries. 'We need to work out the extent of that (Papley's injury) and the same with Amartey late in the game,' he said. 'We'll see throughout the next couple of days how that settles, get some scans and the results will come from that.' Their 11-point win at the SCG was set up on the back of a first half midfield 'bashing'. At half time, the Swans nailed five goals to none from centre clearance in worrying signs for Freo coach Justin Longmuir. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY 'They've been so dominant – plus-13 for clearance but in particular their centre bounce work, five goals from centre bounce,' Fox Footy's Alastair Lynch said. 'It is the mechanics of the four that are in there,' Dermott Brereton added. 'When (Brodie) Grundy is in there predominantly, they are having the first look, the first touch, the first clearance, first possession. It's predominantly going Sydney's way. 'That's the difference in the game as it stands.' Brodie Grundy was given the massive task of taking on Freo's tag team of Sean Darcy and Jackson. Brodie Grundy (left) was a standout again for the Swans. (Photo by) But Sydney's 'shining light' delivered in another outstanding performance. 'He's like a man possessed,' Fox Footy's Dwayne Russell said. 'He's a different man Brodie Grundy this last month and a bit. 'He did finish fourth in the best and fairest last year.' Statistics showed Grundy has leapt into the #11 ranked player in the AFL – up from the #95 he was ranked for the first six rounds. By full time, Grundy racked up 20 disposals, 33 hit-outs and a goal in a stellar performance. The Swans have shown vast improvement since the likes of Errol Gulden returned, but Cox will be hoping for some good news on the injury front ahead of next week's clash with the Saints at Marvel Stadium. Originally published as Swans' slim finals hopes still alive but injuries strike again in Freo win
Perth Now
2 hours ago
- Perth Now
Albo's scores big with football diplomacy
In the latest display of football diplomacy, Australia and Fiji have agreed to 'deepen' ties after Anthony Albanese and his counterpart Sitiveni Rabuka watched the Wallabies duke it out with Fiji in a dramatic rugby test. Fiji was poised to beat the Wallabies but a last-minute try from captain Harry Wilson saved the day, securing Australia a 21-18 win. The prime ministers posed for photos just before kick-off, with each of them donning scarves for their respective teams. But as much as the match was a friendly sporting rivalry between neighbours, it played out against a backdrop of Pacific politics shaped by an increasingly aggressive China. The Albanese government has pumped billions into countering Chinese influence in the region – an endeavour to which Fiji is key. Little more than an hour after the match, Defence Industry and Pacific Affairs Minister Pat Conroy announced Australia and Fiji were 'taking steps to formally elevate and deepen the Vuvale Partnership as we work together to ensure a peaceful, stable and prosperous Pacific'. Among the key elements outlined were supporting Fiji roll out its new national security strategy and boosting Australian development assistance by $40m over four years. The latest cash commitment put Australia's total assistance to Fiji at $500m from 2025 to 2029. Other key elements included more Australian Federal Police officers embedded in Fiji's police force and tightening up border security at the country's major ports. 'During Fiji Prime Minister Sitveni Rabuka's visit to Australia, we affirmed our support for Prime Minister Rabuka's vision for an 'Ocean of Peace' including family first Pacific regionalism and Pacific-led solutions to Pacific challenges,' Mr Conroy said in a statement. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has said a Chinese base in the Pacific would not be welcome. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia While defence and security have been top-of-mind, the Albanese government has also prioritised people-to-people links with Australia's 'Pacific family'. Speaking to Newcastle radio on Saturday, Mr Albanese spruiked the match as doing just that. 'It is really important to recognise that relationships between nations essentially comes down to relationships between people,' he told the ABC. 'And that's why we unapologetically have provided support to support rugby in the region. 'That includes support that Australia has provided of $10 million over seven years for the Fijian Drua women and men to participate in those Super Rugby Pacific and Australia Super W competitions.' He noted Mr Rabuka 'timed his visit to Australia' to coincide with the rugby test. 'It is a great way in which our nations can show our commonality,' Mr Albanese said. 'We are all members of the Pacific family.' Speaking in Canberra on Wednesday, Mr Rabuka vowed to fight Chinese efforts to set up a base in the Pacific for as 'long as I'm Prime Minister'. 'There is really no need for them to set up any other bases in the Pacific,' he told the National Press Club. 'If they want to come, who would welcome them? Not Fiji.'
