Kerry Stokes Awarded Prestigious AFL Life Membership
Esteemed Australian businessman Kerry Stokes has been honoured with Life Membership of the Australian Football League, recognising his profound and lasting contributions to the sport. The presentation occurred during the official opening event for the AFL Origin match at the Crown Ballroom on Thursday evening.
A Legacy of Support and Innovation
AFL Commission chairman Richard Goyder bestowed the honour upon the Seven West Media chairman, describing Mr Stokes as "one of football's great supporters." Mr Goyder highlighted Mr Stokes's lifelong passion, which began in his youth near Arden Street, fostering a deep love for North Melbourne and an understanding of football's unifying role in Australian culture.
This Life Membership is a distinction typically reserved for players achieving the 300-game milestone or securing three Brownlow Medals, underscoring the exceptional nature of Mr Stokes's recognition for off-field service.
Transformative Impact on the Game
In his address, Mr Goyder detailed the multifaceted impact of Mr Stokes's leadership. "Kerry, you have said sport is the great unifier, and our game is a powerful part of Australia's DNA," he stated. "Through your leadership you've backed innovation that helped bring footy into more homes, more towns and more hearts."
This innovation encompasses significant broadcast evolution, the creation of showcase fixtures, and initiatives providing deeper audience insight into the game and its participants. Mr Goyder also emphasised Mr Stokes's early and unwavering belief in AFL Women's, noting, "You also believed in the AFLW from day one … and that matters."
His sustained support for Western Australian football, including the WAFL, has been instrumental in the game's strength and growth in the region. Mr Goyder concluded that these contributions "will be felt for generations to come."
Ceremony and Broadcast Legacy
AFL chief executive Andrew Dillon formally presented Mr Stokes with a Life Membership pin and certificate during the event. The honour coincides with the significant broadcast partnership between the AFL and the Seven Network, which has televised the game continuously since 2007.
This partnership was cemented in 2022 with a landmark $4.5 billion broadcast deal, the richest in Australian sports history, which commenced in 2025 and extends through to 2031.
State of Origin Grand Revival
The presentation was part of the glittering opener for the revived AFL State of Origin clash between Western Australia and Victoria. The event, held 17,659 days after the concept's inception on October 8, 1977, at Subiaco Oval, attracted football's elite.
Attendees included star players such as WA's Chad Warner, Luke Jackson, and Kysaiah Pickett, alongside Victoria's Nick Daicos, Matt Rowell, and Patrick Dangerfield. Political figures like WA Premier Roger Cook and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti also joined administrators from the billion-dollar code.
The fifty combined players, led by captains Marcus Bontempelli and Patrick Cripps, and coached by Dean Cox (WA) and Chris Scott (Victoria), were presented with their state-coloured blazers and playing jumpers on stage.
Premier's Welcome and Historical Context
Premier Roger Cook extended a warm welcome to the Victorian contingent while hinting at the fierce rivalry awaiting them. "We love our footy in Western Australia, we are a footy state," he declared, reminiscing about the 1977 Origin match where a 12-year-old fan witnessed WA's decisive victory.
"I remember the even greater pride the fact that we whooped the Victorians' arse that particular year," Mr Cook recalled. He anticipated over 60,000 parochial fans packing Optus Stadium for what he described as "a great celebration of footy" and a proud moment in reviving the tradition.
Historic Clash and Competitive Spirit
This match marks the first official State of Origin game since 1999 and the first WA-Victoria showdown since 1992, the year West Coast secured its inaugural premiership. The Victorian squad, arriving in Perth on Wednesday, trained at Mineral Resources Park, with coach Chris Scott setting a serious tone.
Victoria's chairman of selectors, Garry Lyon, likened the elite 25-player squad to "footy porn" and relayed Scott's stern message to players: "If you think this is a Mickey Mouse situation, then you're in the wrong place."
Historically, Victoria leads the rivalry 12-7 from 19 meetings. The Origin concept, originally devised by Subiaco Football Club's marketing manager Leon Larkin, began with a 94-point WA victory in 1977, led by Max Richardson, Ron Alexander, and Graham Moss, and coached by the late Graham "Polly" Farmer.
Honours and Anticipation
A cup named in honour of Graham "Polly" Farmer will be presented to the winning team by his daughter, Kim, on Saturday night. Graham Moss will award the medal bearing his name to WA's best player, while Ted Whitten Jnr will present the EJ Whitten Medal to Victoria's top performer.
The famous words of Ted Whitten after a 1990 victory—"Stuck it right up 'em!"—echo the competitive spirit both states embody. WA chairman of selectors Glen Jakovich, a decorated Origin player and dual premiership Eagle, undoubtedly hopes to echo similar sentiments following Saturday night's historic and highly anticipated contest.
