WAFL forward Matt Palfrey returns home to junior club Railways as a chance to refresh and enjoy country footy

A chance to refresh and take time away from the pressure and expectation of WAFL football is the reason behind Matt Palfrey’s return to his junior club Railways. The high-flying forward spent six season playing for Claremont in the WAFL but Palfrey said his desire to focus on things outside of football, which had consumed his life since he left school, was a major part of his decision to come home. Palfrey is one of the biggest recruits of the 2020 Great Southern Football League competition, which starts on Saturday. He played 41 league games and kicked 40 goals and is fresh off his best season at league level, booting 18 goals in 13 appearances and was part of Claremont’s losing preliminary final team. As a 16-year-old, Palfrey booted seven goals in the 2013 GSFL grand final and won the Alan Barnett Medal as best-afield helping Railways win back-to-back premierships. He then moved to Perth to play colts for Claremont and was part of the State 18s program and went on to play 15 colts games and 38 reserves games in his six-year WAFL stint. Palfrey said his plans were to live in Albany for at least six months before reassessing his options. “With COVID and everything happening, I just wanted a refresh, come down south and get an aspect at where I’m at in life at the moment,” Palfrey said. “I just want to enjoy footy; that’s the main thing for me while we have a shortened year. “It’s just a lot less stressful and I just want to come down here and focus on life outside of footy. “I’m keen to just go out there and have a bit of fun. “To win a premiership on the way, that would be the next goal from there.” The 24-year-old was keen to pass on his knowledge to a few younger Tigers teammates. “I just want to be a target down there for someone to kick to and I guess help out the team and pass on what I learnt at Claremont,” he said. “Hopefully a few of the younger kids coming up through the ranks can learn a thing or two off me. “I definitely have missed (country football). “There is a lot less stress playing country footy from what I remember but I look forward to enjoying it and coming down here and having a bit of fun.” With his family living in Albany, Palfrey has moved home with his girlfriend, Jemma Quintrell, to enjoy the Great Southern lifestyle. Palfrey was also itching to play alongside his older brother, Tom, who was named best on ground in last year’s reserves grand final after booting five goals. “It will be good to play alongside him again, just seeing how he finished off last year, seem like he got into a bit of form,” he said. “I can’t wait to play alongside him when we are both in tip-top shape.” The Tigers start their new campaign against North Albany this weekend.