36-degree heat didn’t deter a crowd of around 3,000 from coming together to kick off the 2007 season, taking the opportunity to rub shoulders with the players on Adventure World’s many rides and attractions, including the Power Surge and The Rampage, and also getting an autograph or two.
Adventure World was open exclusively for members from 8.00 am, two hours before gates opened to the general public. Many had risen bright and early and were queued out the front well before 8.00 am! The Fremantle players arrived just after 10.00 am and immediately set off to all corners of the park.
Captain Matthew Pavlich and Vice Captain Josh Carr lent a hand on the Speed Slides and Mountain Rapids, while new recruits Chris Tarrant and Dean Solomon duelled on the bumper boats.
There was fierce competition on the Grand Prix Raceway as the likes of Luke McPharlin, Matthew Carr, Shane Parker, Antoni Grover and Marcus Drum battled it out in a contest even more thrilling than another Grand Prix taking place at the same time at Albert Park!
Some of the team’s more “elder statesmen”, including Heath Black, Des Headland, Shaun McManus, and Jeff Farmer, opted for the more laid-back setting of the Kids’ Cove, and there was also a handball clinic running on the main lawn.
The players then gathered for a special signing session for members and supporters in the autograph tent, and were kept busy by the large number eager to get their Fremantle merchandise signed and a quick photograph too.
At Midday it was time for the players to bid farewell but most of the members and supporters chose to make a day of it and stay until closing time at 5.00 pm.
For one lucky member, Roslyn Parnham of Bateman, the day was unforgettable as she won an LG LCD Television with built in HD tuner, valued at $3,449, simply by filling in an entry form and popping it in the barrel at the ‘LG Zone’ on the main lawn.
Thanks also to club sponsors Fonterra and Coca-Cola, who quenched the players and staff’s thirst in the warm conditions by providing an ample supply of Choc Chills and Mount Franklin water respectively.
