The South Fremantle Football Club will pay tribute to Colts player Nick Campo who passed away in a road accident.
The 18-year-old died just two days after his birthday when a ute containing him and four friends crashed on Farrington road in North Lake on Saturday night.
Tributes have flowed in throughout the week as the WA sporting community has come to grips with the tragic loss of an aspiring AFL player.
South Fremantle Head of Football Charlie Burke has commended the playing group’s ‘incredible’ response throughout the week.
“It’s been tough,” he told SportFM.
“The 60-odd young men in the Colts program have really got together and got around each other which has been remarkable to see after such tragic circumstances.
“It goes wider than our Colts. A number of senior boys have played footy with Nick.
“It’s been a highly emotional week but off the back of that, to see how close the group has got over the last week has been incredible to see.”
South Fremantle players and staff will don black armbands and hold a moment’s silence for Nick before each match across the three grades to pay their respects.
The scoreboard at Fremantle Oval will also display a tribute to honour Nick during the day.
Burke is encouraging people to come down and pay tribute to a beloved member of the South Fremantle playing group in what is set to be a ‘highly emotional’ day.
“We do encourage people to get along, particularly for the Colts,” he said.
“I sent an email out to some of the local clubs and both cricket and football that Nick was involved in to let them know that we certainly won’t be charging entry prior to the Colts game.
“We want as many of his friends and family and those that are touched by Nick… to come and join our Colts as we celebrate and honour the life of Nick Campo.”
The players met and received support from welfare officers and chaplains on Monday night after the news broke ahead of their main training session on Tuesday.
The club, WAFC and the weekend’s opponents Subiaco have also reiterated there is no pressure to play if they were not ready to do so.
“(It was a) highly emotional night Monday night, but it was needed,” said Burke.
“Tuesday night we didn’t know what to expect with their main training session but they really got around each other.
“(It was) probably one of their best training sessions in terms of energy and getting around each other.
“At this stage the boys are pretty keen to take the field.”
The South Fremantle Colts kick off Saturday’s WAFL action as they take on Subiaco at Fremantle Oval at 9:00am.
IMAGE: SFFC Facebook