IN PART two of melbournefc.com.au’s exclusive interview series with Austin Wonaeamirri, the exciting youngster tells of his journey from Melville Island to the AFL.
It's a massive move for anyone to shift from the Northern Territory to South AustraliaVictoria. How have you handled that transition?
AW: It was a bit hard. I had to make sacrifices, because I've got my parents and family at home and my uncles and aunties as well, but I just wanted to follow my dream, so I decided to head to Adelaide [in the SANFL] and have a crack there.
Even the move from the Tiwi Islands to Darwin, how did you find that initial move?
AW: I went to a boarding school in Darwin and I was there for four years and finished in '06 and it was pretty good. I was able to go back to the islands for a break, which was really good. It's about 15 or 20-minute flight by plane from Darwin to Melville Island and I'm from Milikapiti.
What's life like for you on Melville Island?
AW: It's pretty laid back. The lifestyle is really good. We go out hunting and fishing and everyone really likes it on the island. It's pretty relaxed.
So you're a bit of a star on the island now, hey?
AW: I went back last week during the break and everyone went up to me. I went to see my grandma and suddenly they just wanted to talk. I went back as a normal person. I just said: 'I'm from this place and we're all from the same place'. They said: 'Nah, you're playing AFL'.
Was it a great experience for you to return home as an AFL player?
AW: It got me pretty excited, but I was a bit embarrassed as well.
Hailing from Melville Island, have you had much to do with Maurice Rioli over the journey and Michael Long, who is a great Northern Territorian ambassador?
AW: In the last four years, Michael Long has talked to me about football and when I went back home [recently] I saw Maurice at the airport - he'd come and seen me - and he said: 'This is the start of your career, so don't get ahead of yourself and I know you won't'. When you get to where you are now, some people get ahead of themselves, so I really took his word.
Can you tell us a little bit about your family?
AW: We've got a big tribe - it goes from family to family and goes on and on.
How many are in your family?
AW: Mum passed on when I was 12, so I hung around dad and my brothers and family and friends. I've got a stepmum and she is really good. I've got two brothers and a sister and from my stepmum's side I've got a brother and sister. We're a close family, so I just call [my step siblings] my brothers and sisters. We're really close.
What's it like catching turtles back home?
AW: Turtle hunting is fun. Some people say it's a bit dangerous, but it's how you hunt it and how you stand on the boat. You spear with a harpoon from the boat and you have to hit the shell.
How much skill is involved in hunting turtles?
AW: You've got to balance your foot on top of the bow of the boat.
And what's the taste like?
AW: It's like normal meat, but there is a bit of fat in it, but some on the island eat it with the fat on it and I grew up eating turtle one day a week. That's what I really like.
What do get up to Melbourne away from footy?
AW: I'm living with a host family in Yarraville and they're really good - Shayne and Nerrie Milsom. They're pretty good; they're pretty awesome and they look after me and do everything for me. I hang around with Aaron (Davey) a lot and Matty (Whelan).
As a generalisation, if a person your age living in Melbourne took the alternate route to you and moved from Victoria to South Australia, then to Darwin and Melville Island, how do you think they would handle it?
AW: I reckon it's up to them. Everyone has got their own mind. It's always going to be tough to move when you move your family and friends up, but if you're going up there to live, it's pretty smooth and cruisey.
