By Peter Douglas
AFL Yarra Ranges is steeped in Indigenous football history, with tales of mercurial players and their feats doubtlessly circulating throughout local clubs.
Though, this history is far from a well-kept secret, with a long list of players impacting the local and wider football communities.
One of the more notable Indigenous players was Healesville’s James ‘Juby’ Wandin, who was a football trailblazer.
Long before Nicky Winmar’s famous stand against racism, or Gilbert McAdam’s magic delighted fans, Juby was the first Aboriginal footballer to play for St Kilda.
He quickly gained a reputation as a skilful player, who had the utmost respect of his teammates.
Juby played two seasons with the Saints – playing at centre half-forward in 1950-’51 – before being called up for national service in the army.
Eventually, he headed back to Healesville where he became a bush footy icon.
Interestingly, his father, Jarlo, was invited to train with Collingwood, but did not take up the offer.
It was said Jarlo wasn’t the same physically after serving during World War I, although he did push his son, Juby, to take up St Kilda’s offer.
Also of note, Jarlo’s great nephew, Tristan Tweedie, was last year drafted by the Western Bulldogs.
In recent months, Tweedie, playing as an athletic tall forward, has impressed football-watchers with his game sense and natural talent.
In modern times, West Coast Eagles premiership player David Wirrpanda started his football life with Powelltown, playing in the club’s only under-18s premiership side in the early 1990s.
Wirrpanda went on to play with Eastern Ranges, before West Coast drafted him at the tender age of just 16.
At the time, he was widely regarded as one of the most talented young players in Australia.
Wirrpanda was a mainstay in the Eagles’ defence for well over a decade, playing more than 200 games and an important role in the club’s 2006 premiership.
Since his retirement from the game, he has set up the David Wirrpanda Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.
