Northampton WAFL to see visit from AFL stars Josh Kennedy and Paul Hasleby

Hometown heroes Josh Kennedy and Paul Hasleby will be returning to Northampton to support the community when it hosts two WAFL matches this month as part of a fundraiser to boost the cyclone-stricken town. The “festival of footy” on Saturday April 30 will see four matches played on Northampton Oval — a WAFL showdown between East Fremantle and East Perth, East Fremantle versus Claremont in the WAFLW while Northampton and the Brigades will take each other on in the GNFLW and GNFL. Former AFL player and member of the AFL Rams Community Support Fund Andrew Lockyer said West Coast superstar Josh Kennedy and former Dockers champion Paul Hasleby had confirmed they will be there on the day, and he was waiting on news on whether premiership Eagle and fellow Northampton product Jamie Cripps would be able to make it. Twelve months on, Northampton is still recovering from the devastating effects of cyclone Seroja. Mr Lockyer said hosting such an event — with the help of the State Government, WA Football Commission and East Fremantle Football Club, would provide a community focus and relief on the day from the struggles locals were still facing. “The aim of the day is to continue to support the district,” he said. The majority of sponsors for Northampton’s festival of footy are local Mid West businesses. The matches will raise funds to help provide a generator for Pioneer Lodge, the retirement home in Northampton. “So far, we have raised nearly $54,000 in sponsorship for the day,” Lockyer said.