Jack Wira follows in father Brad’s footsteps as Claremont Futures tackle Great Southern Storm in Albany

The father-son tradition will be alive and well as Claremont prospect Jack Wira heads with his WAFL club to Albany on Sunday for an exhibition clash against the Great Southern Storm at Retravision Stadium. Jack’s father Brad was Albany-born, represented the Tigers, was an inaugural Fremantle Dockers player and played for the Western Bulldogs as a defender. He is now a director of the WA Football Commission. One of Brad’s key messages when he was elected to the commission in 2024 was that pathways for regional footy players had to improve. The Great Southern Storm provides a jumping-off point for talented youngsters hoping for a football career. “That comment about pathways was not targeted at Albany because Albany are clubhouse leaders, they are wonderful,” Brad said, paying tribute to the Storm’s Darrell Panizza. “One of our key pillars at the commission is access and equity so country kids have the same opportunities as kids from the city. “Albany do that brilliantly.” Initially a soccer player, Brad said he had to choose between the football codes as a teenager when both were played on a Sunday. “I played soccer because my parents wouldn’t let me play footy until I was 16, when I had to choose,” Wira said. “I used to go to Mass, have a deal with the priest that I could leave after Communion, and then cycle to North Albany for the game.” Jack was allowed to play footy as a child in Perth, starting with AFL Auskick before being picked up by Claremont for their under-14, under-15 and now futures programs. An emerging midfielder, he turned 16 on Thursday but whether dad will be in Albany to watch the game was in the balance, due to commitments with the State of Origin game in Perth on Saturday night. Claremont are regular visitors to Albany as their recruitment zone includes the Great Southern, where dozens of Storm players over the years have gone in the opposite direction to play for the Tigers. The match at Retravision Stadium starts at noon on Sunday.