The AFL Masters National Carnival hit the streets of Fremantle wrapped up in Saturday after seven long, action-packed days of competition across the town. 

The West Aussies took home seven titles that were up for grabs in the tournament, including four men’s titles, two women’s and one in the newly introduced non-contact category. 

Speaking on Tuesday after the tournament, AFL Masters Chair Nathan Dixon is confident the tournament exceeded expectations for all participants.  

“When we were organizing it, if we can keep 80% of the people happy that come in, we’ll be happy,” he said. 

I think we’ve exceeded that,  certainly with all the stuff on social media. I loved being in Fremantle, I loved exploring Fremantle and the services were fantastic.” 

“The footy was good too, WA excelled. We managed to win seven national titles out of the 14 that were available, so that’s an extremely good effort.

“(It was a) fantastic achievement from WA and it was nice on the final night when we had Scotty Cummings as the MC, reading out the winners. You want to win the young age groups. That’s where the premier football is and we did that with spades, so they were sensational.” 

Dixon has estimated the City of Fremantle will received a massive $8 million boost from hosting this event as businesses received high numbers of patrons throughout the week-long tournament. 

Bars, pubs and restaurants like were among some of the most visited venues given the competitive, but social nature of the competition, and by all reports are keen to continue being involved in the social side of Masters footy. 

Additionally, a Rottnest Island visit was also planned during the week but unfortunately did not run ahead due to huge ocean swells and dangerous boating conditions on the day. 

Dixon says the event would not have been possible without the support of the shire.

“City of Fremantle have been superb in understanding that we’ll bring the people in, we’ve just got to make it accessible for them when they’re here,” said Dixon.

“The mayor, Hannah, from the start has been very proactive in making sure that, one, the people have felt welcome. 

“She’s gotten heavily involved and invested in bringing some mass participation events into Fremantle and then obviously showcasing Fremantle Oval. 

“Mass participation and community events are what it’s all about. That’s where the numbers come in. That’s where the tourists come from.” 

On Sunday night, AFL Masters announce the competition will head to Darwin next year, where Western Australia will look to defend their seven titles. 

It marks 10 years since the National Carnival last played in Darwin, having gone without hosting since 2015.  

Dixon expects the competition will return to Western Australia in five or six years time, stating it’s time it went regional.

“The Southwest, I would have thought would be the way to go. We’ve got some magnificent facilities in the Southwest in terms of football,” he said.

“For those on the east coast, we can fly you into the Busselton region very easily on a plane. So that makes it attractive as well, but that will be for someone else to organize and decide on in probably four years’ time when they make those sort of calls. 

We look forward to heading up into Darwin. We always have a good time in Darwin. WA guys always travel well to Darwin.

“We’ll hopefully take some teams and obviously, we’ve got seven teams that are going to go and defend their title.”

IMAGE: AFL Masters