The Fremantle Dockers Junior draft day has always been a platform that gives kids the opportunity to get up close with their AFL heroes. This also goes for children living with disability, whether that be through Auskick, Starkick, or kids who aren’t yet playing football.  This year was no exception.

The club opened their training facility for over 450 kids to go down and try out, starting the day with a banner proclaiming it to be the best day of the year, and for 8-year-old Bentley D’Lima, it was.

Bentley has previously struggled with sporting opportunities due to his ASD and ADHD diagnosis, having tried Auskick back in 2024 and struggling to adapt to the drills and busier environment, his mother, Ashlee D’Lima, said; “We struggle in social situations, but also adjustments that can support him with transitions or basic understanding… we found he just walked off a lot.”

She found that the Auskick format didn’t quite suit Bentley’s social abilities. “He got very angry and then with ASD, it’s hard to play games because Bentley always wants to be the first to touch the ball, or everything’s a competition. So, yeah, it did not work for us.”

Ashlee was previously unaware of Starkick as a program, “I was shocked with this program that Starkick have put on… I’m glad I did because just having the extra support for me with all the noise, or I was able to come out on the field to help with transition, that was huge; we don’t even get that kind of support at school. I had tears, like I cry when we have big milestones and I know these are already tiny milestones on the outside, but these were huge for us…”

Fremantle Dockers players, Isaiah Dudley, Murphy Reid and Mason Cox sign autographs at the Freo Dockers Junior Draft Day

After his mother, Ashlee, found out about the Draft Day opportunity through a friend, she decided that, in spite of how her son may struggle to adapt to the environment, this was an opportunity she wanted him to have; “We tried, because Freo is his favourite team and yeah, it was an amazing day just to feel included for him.”

Rob Geersen, Inclusion Specialist at WA All Abilities Football, said that at the start of the day Bentley was very anxious and reserved. “He was needing that one-on-one support, which is what we aim to provide to any child in our Starkick program, if they may need that.

“Bentley was slowly gaining confidence and getting involved, he was hanging back a little, but still having a go and just doing things at his pace”

That was until Fremantle Docker’s player, Isaiah Dudley got involved. At that moment, Geersen said that Bentley’s confidence completely flipped; “Isaiah realised Bentley was being a bit quiet, and he just walked over, engaged and it was a special moment to witness.”

Bentley and Isaiah Dudley

Bentley’s mother Ashlee was overwhelmed with the support and reassurance Isaiah offered. “For Isaiah to recognise Bentley needed a bit of support, and to come over to say, ‘hang on, I’ll be your partner for a minute,’ you know?... I don’t think Isaiah understands Bentley’s background or anything like that, so he wouldn’t know the impact he was having, but it was amazing to witness.”  That was the only activity that Bentley fully and independently participated in for the day, besides kicking a goal with Patrick Voss.

 That moment when Dudley came over and asked Bentley to be his partner for an activity “Bentley’s face lit up with a smile so wide, everything else, his anxiety and concerns, just disappeared in an instant.”

Bentley’s mother Ashlee was overwhelmed with the support and reassurance Isaiah offered. “For Isaiah to recognise Bentley needed a bit of support, and to come over to say, ‘hang on, I’ll be your partner for a minute,’ you know?... I don’t think Isaiah understands Bentley’s background or anything like that, so he wouldn’t know the impact he was having, but it was amazing to witness.”  That was the only activity that Bentley fully and independently participated in for the day, besides kicking a goal with Patrick Voss.

(Video) Bentley and Isaiah Dudley join up for some fun during one of the games

Mitchell Harvey, the Fans and Community Manager for the Fremantle Dockers Football Club, who was the man pulling the strings behind the curtains to make the Junior Draft Day possible, said that the day “is a special opportunity for young footballers to experience what it’s like to be part of an AFL club, with participants stepping into the shoes of a player for the afternoon. The day gives junior fans the chance to connect with our players, take part in football activities, develop their skills, collect player signatures and create lasting memories in a fun and welcoming environment.

This year, we welcomed almost 450 participants aged 5-12 to our club facilities, with the full Fremantle Dockers men’s playing squad involved in the event. The feedback from participants and families has been fantastic, and it’s a great reminder of the impact our players can have in creating meaningful experiences for young fans.

Over the past few years, we’ve been really proud to see Junior Draft Day continue to evolve and become more inclusive, welcoming participants from Starkick and young people living with disability to be involved alongside their peers. The opportunity for every child to experience the excitement of the day, meeting players and being part of a Fremantle Dockers event is something that makes the day incredibly special”

Opportunities like this aren’t always accessible for many families, and through the ongoing partnership WA All Abilities have with VarietyWA, many more families got the chance to attend where they may otherwise not have been able to due to financial constraints. For the second year VarietyWA have helped take that financial barrier for many Starkick families. Laura Benson, the Kids Support Manager for VarietyWA, said that “It’s about all kids having the opportunity, it’s for all the kids that might otherwise miss out.”

Kim Graham, and her son Josh, who were previously at the Half-Time Takeover in June, were able to attend the draft day due to VarietyWA’s support. Josh, who has Autism and a pending ADHD diagnosis, has been a Starkick participant for just over a year now, and is thriving. His mother says that the Junior Draft day was “Overwhelming, but a good overwhelming… All the Fremantle Dockers players made Josh feel so welcome and all the kids got so excited... He was in his element.”

Josh enjoying a special day with his favourite team.

Kim was so impressed by the way the Fremantle Docker’s players interacted with her son, and all the kids, saying that they we all so welcoming. Isaiah Dudley also making time for Josh, “He goes up there and goes ‘What’s up, Deadly Dudley?’, Isaiah just turned around and high fived him and said; ‘What’s up, mate?’, and made him feel so welcome.

“When we got to the signature table where Josh Tracey was, Josh stood, covered his mouth, and tears just started falling. I asked him what was wrong and he was like, “It’s Josh Tracey, Mum!”

Interactions between AFL stars and junior players is what helps to inspire kids to keep at it, dream big, and continue to play footy. The Junior Draft Day continues to be a day that junior footy players look forward to, and the Fremantle Dockers continue to be an exceptional example of how inclusion footy extends beyond local clubs; that there is a space for everyone in footy.

For more information on how you can be involved in the Starkick All-Abilities program, head to the website www.starkick.com.au

Starkick participants listen in closely as Caleb Serrong explains the next activity