I’m a little concerned with some of the ideas people come up with these days.
Perth journalist Ben O’Shea has started a crowd-funding drive to encourage Fremantle Dockers fans to dig into their own pockets to fund a bronze statue of Freo’s favourite son, Matthew Pavlich.
Mr O’Shea is trying to raise $100,000.
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READ NOW“Every Freo fan that generously donates $10 will receive a crisp high-five,” the campaign page says.
Freo supporters hang your heads: Pavlich deserved so much better
“Plus, you’ll get a sense of satisfaction from knowing you have done your part to remember one of WA’s greatest footballers.”
Now, no one here would deny Big Pav deserves to be honoured this way.
Taking into consideration his longevity, his goal tally, his versatility – there can be few arguments that he’s been the most dominant WA-based player of the AFL era.
But it’s not the job of Fremantle supporters to fund this tribute.
Fremantle supporters have shelled out to watch Pavlich perform for 17 seasons, through thick and thin, good times and bad.
Dockers members pay $410 for a full-season standard adult membership.
They have honoured Pav more than enough over the journey.
And now they’re being asked to pay for a statue?
This idea is all wrong.
The City of Fremantle and Labor leader Mark McGowan are reported to be on board already with the campaign.
Well, City of Fremantle, how about you just pick up the tab for the whole lot?
It’s the least you could do for a man who’s done more than anyone to give your local club respect.
There’s plenty of other bronze statues dotted about the place that did not need a crowd-funding campaign to get them over the line.
In these economic times, how about we do the right thing – instead of looking to Fremantle fans for a handout, push a little bit harder on the WA Footy Commission, the City of Fremantle and the State Government.