Derby Rivalry Culminates in AFL Blind Grand FinalWednesday, November 9, 2022 - 3:19 PM

The Fremantle Dockers have the chance to win back-to-back Premierships in WA’s AFL Blind Grand Final against the West Coast Eagles on Saturday.

In the second season of AFL Blind, the Dockers, and their cross-town rivals the West Coast Eagles have each won two games each in highly competitive matches.

Benjamin Moncrieff, All Abilities Coordinator at the WA All Abilities Football Association, has been delighted with the standard of play.

“The skills continue to improve and each week more goals are being scored which is great for the confidence of the players.

The players and supporters get so much enjoyment from the games.

You can see it on their faces while playing and everyone is having a laugh during the game breaks,” Moncrieff said.

Fremantle claimed local bragging rights over West Coast to win WA’s inaugural AFL Blind competition in March this year.

Blind AFL has slight adaptation to rules and modifications to equipment.

Games are played indoors, which provides a controlled environment to allow players to use their hearing.

The football has a USB charging port and an electronic beeper inserted to produce sound loud enough to assist with tracking the ball.

To assist with identifying the centre and location of the goals, there are flashing lights behind the uprights, high contrast backdrops hung behind the goals, and goal umpire rattle shakers when the football enters the scoring zone.

In 2011, the Perth Football League became the home of Integrated Football.

The PFL’s community-orientated ethos encouraged the inclusion and participation of athletes with an intellectual disability to be part of our great game.

The most important elements of AFL Blind are the social, emotional, and personal growth associated with being part of football.

The Grand Final between Fremantle and West Coast will be played on Saturday the 12^th of November at 2pm at Mineral Resources Park.