Joan Wilson's voice ripples with excitement as she talks about her grandchildren.
"I never imagined in a million years that I'd have five grandkids in the AFL," she says.
"I don't have a favourite. I'm just so rapt for them all."
The Halls Creek matriarch is grandmother to Adelaide Crow Shane McAdam, West Coast Eagle Sam Petrevski-Seton, Jy Farrar from the Gold Coast Suns, and Ash Johnson, who plays for Collingwood.
The drafting of 18-year-old Eric Benning by the Fremantle Dockers last month brings to five the number of grandchildren she has playing in the national league.
The young men grew up in the remote outpost of Halls Creek, which is nestled in cattle country in the central Kimberley, north WA.
Also, part of the extended family clan is Krstel Petrevski, who plays for Melbourne in the AFLW.
'The children were brought up to have respect'
It is a remarkable family tree. Sometimes Joan Wilson's grandsons play each other, something she concedes can be difficult.
"I just wish them all the best, and whoever wins, so be it," she chuckles.
"I'm so proud of them. They are all so confident, and I love it when they come home at Christmas, and I can see how much they've grown."
Ms Wilson is a Bunuba and Kija woman who has worked in Aboriginal health for more than 30 years.
She is known as a calm, motherly figure in the small town of Halls Creek.
"We're a strong, close-knit family — my parents are from the Stolen Generations era, and they handed down great values to their children and grandchildren," she said.
Not an easy path
Mick Albert knows all five of the AFL recruits.
He heads the Garnduwa organisation, which runs football and talent development programs across the Kimberley region.
"We've had plenty of talent come out of Halls creek," he explains.
"Each of those boys that have gone down and are playing AFL has taken a different pathway, and there have certainly been challenges.
Every year talented young footballers from northern Australia head south to try to crack the AFL. Many move back home quickly, overcome by the cold, the pressure and the alien cultural environment.
Northern coaches have tried to move the focus off AFL drafting as the determinate of success or failure, focusing instead on the broader benefits of discipline, teamwork and fitness.
Shouting at the TV
Joan Wilson and her family say they are proud that the boys are role models for their hard work and values, as well as their football ability.
"They have been a great role model for kids in this community," says Joan Wilson.
"Three of them came back last month when we had the COVID-19 vaxathon here to promote the vaccine.
Sometimes she raises her voice when watching them play, she admits.
Not in anger – she just gets anxious when they're knocked over.
But they also get up again, with their outback family cheering on from far, far away.
