In October 2002, 20 young men from the Kingsley Football Club in Perth’s north, elated to have won the team’s first premiership, flew to Bali for an end-of-season trip to celebrate their victory.
But only 13 of the teammates made it home.
The remaining seven accounted for nearly half of the 16 West Australians who were killed in the Bali bombings, an attack which claimed the lives of 202 people, including 88 Australians.
When he touched down on home soil, Brad McIlroy, then 19, spoke of his anguish after spending days searching for his teammates in hospitals and morgues.
“[The] flight home was tough because we all know the reason we tried staying there,” he said.
“But when it almost became impossible for us to do anything more, it was almost like a relief.
“It was such a relief to get back to Perth.”
Legends game to commemorate teammates
On Friday night, almost twenty years on from the unimaginable tragedy, he led dozens of club greats onto Kingsley Park – a place that has united them ever since.
A legends game was held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the club’s first flag and the devastating events that came just days later.
“What we went through as a club 20 years ago was really tough, and we became a really big family,” Mr McIlroy said before bounce-down.
“So catch-ups like this, it’s like Christmas with the family you want to see.”
Kingsley locals turned out to watch the match and enjoy the atmosphere of a balmy spring evening.
Mr McIlroy said it was a way of giving back to the WA community which had rallied around the club in the wake of the bombings.
“We didn’t really know what to expect when we came back from Bali, and we probably had no idea how much [of] the impact the community felt,” he said.
“I think they needed a place to grieve as well.”
Mateship helping with grief
Now aged 39, Mr McIlroy said the horror that unfolded at the Sari Club has had a lasting impact.
“I’ve suffered PTSD for years. I was probably in shock for three or four years,” he said.
“I still have injuries that need looking after, mental health being one of them.”
But he said the connections forged at the football club had been crucial for him and his teammates to address the issues they still face.
“Guys still grieve and go through their ups and downs, so it’s good to know that support’s always there,” he said.
“We needed each other and [I] couldn’t be more appreciative of having the guys.
“To have gone through something so significant and have these guys to have a beer with on occasions like tonight — it’s awesome.”
Mr McIlroy said the anniversary of the Bali bombings on Wednesday would be a day for reflection.
“It is a chance for people to reflect and think how quickly things can change and to appreciate what we have,” he said.
Sense of community remains 20 years on
Brett Hannah was 17 at the time of the attack and part of the club’s Colts team.
He said the events of 2002 changed the club forever.
“It made me want to stick around,” he said.
“17 years old and it still affected me and definitely made everyone want to stay around, to support everyone.”
Club member Todd Lightfoot said it was that connection that drove such a strong turnout on Friday night.
“It’s good to see everyone out here and all getting around each other,” he said.
“It really brings a lot to the community and I love this club for that.”
Source: AFL NEWS ABC
