It was a hot day at Kitchener Park. We were all there for the exciting event called Fan Fair, followed by the Eagles v Essendon NAB Challenge game. There were about 6000 people there, which were West Coast members, fans and that included other Rookie members. 

There was lots of West Coast staff around if you wanted to know anything. There were lots of fun activities for kids and adults. The stalls were set up in a big rectangle with some shade in the middle with chairs and tables. We had the big yellow arch for the entrance with a sign to tell us what was happening and when it was happening. They were also helping people with new and old memberships. 

As you entered you looked to your left and you saw the Cheer Zone that had face painting and temporary tattoos, then there was the Bigger Picture stall. This was all about the new stadium and train station at Burswood. If you download the app ar+, you will get to look at the new station. Fans were lucky enough to have a virtual look into the new stadium; you had to wear a special pair of glasses which had a screen inside it. It was really cool to see, because when you moved around you could see all over the inside of the stadium. 

There was also a dunk the opposition competition in which you had to handball a ball to the target – if you were able to hit the target then the person who was wearing an Essendon guernsey dropped into the water. It was really funny and it would have been nice and cool. 

Next were the reptiles from West Oz Wildlife where you could hold a snake, pat a bobtail lizard or a koala and pat a dingo, which was cool. After that was the memorabilia tent with the 1996 premiership cup at the front, photos and a big poster of the 2016 Eagles team. As always the much-loved Auzzie the Eagle was there for all of us to see. We could also hold the rookie eagle Micro. I thought he was heavy. 

There was a Telstra stall which was giving away small white footballs and The Looney Tunes Bouncy Castle. There was a Masters Milk van and a SGIO goal kicking station in which you had to kick a football between the posts. 

At the stage there was an awesome sign that was made out of foam saying #Go Eagles. The HBF stand was having a competition where they gave pedometers out and then two people ran on the spot after 30 seconds they had to stop and have a look at the pedometers to see who had the highest. I did not do that well. They had the ice cream truck called Moody Cow Ice cream and I think they were really popular. The Merrywell was also popular for drinks and food. 

The West Coast Eagles had their inflatables up; there was the handball station, kicking station and the obstacle course – they were all very popular. The awesome West Coast Eagles cheer squad ran a sausage sizzle and they were raising money for the people who had lost everything in the fires at Waroona with the help of Bankwest. We had the awesome Chill Zone where you could sit in a yellow, black or blue bean bag in front of a fan with some mist coming out. I went in it a few times to keep cool. Next to them was the Bean Talkin’ van selling hot drinks. 

The Toyota stand was giving out 2016 WCE posters and ice poles, and a past WCE player Glen Jackovich was there signing some posters. Cancer Council of Western Australia were teaching Rookie members how to make apple slinkies; they gave us a plastic zip lock bag if we wanted to save it. Lots of fans had balloons that were twisted into swords, flowers, dogs they were pretty cool. I saw the sword balloon the most when I was walking around. 

We had the Ambulance there for anyone who needed them. The toilets were big which was a good idea, as there were lots of people. Then we had the 96FM tent there they had a spinning wheel and you could win a ticket to a movie for your Mum or Dad. You got to choose a number I chose number 10 but I didn’t get it, other people said while I was waiting in line there numbers were,17,9 and 12. The ECU tent was set up, they had a handball game and a memory game the prizes were pens, water bottles and cube puzzles, lolly pops and jelly beans. 

On the stage they first had the Royal Agriculture Society Brass Band performing lots of awesome music. They played really well and even performed the West Coast Eagles’ theme song. 

Karl Langdon was the MC and he introduced some of the WCE squad. He interviewed Jonathon Giles, Mark Hutchings and Frazer McInnes and they spoke about how the pre- season was going and he wished them luck for the 2016 season. 

Then we had a handball competition. The competitors were, George, Jett, Kaitlyn, Steven, Blake.

They versed Chris Masten, the scores were:

Masten: 6

George: 1

Jett: 5

Kaitlyn: 5

Steven: 9

Blake: 6 

Steven won a signed football, while the other players got a $50.00 voucher from the team store. 

Yvonne, who looks after Auzzie, then talked to us all about Auzzie the Eagle. It is his 10^th year with the Eagles (and I hope there is another 10 more years) and he has flown over more than 100 games. 

As I was walking around I saw Rick the Rock giving everyone hugs, high fives and having photos with the fans; he enjoyed having photos in the photo booth. I also saw two Masters cows. I got to have a photo with them and they were giving out Masters Milk lanyards. As I went past the speed kicking station a boy had kicked 74km/h and that is really fast. I probably could only kick 20km/h.

I was lucky enough to interview Lewis Jetta. I asked him 11 question, and here they are:

1. What do you have as a lucky charm?

My two kids.

2. What do you think of before the game?

Not a lot, when the siren goes I switch on to the game.

3. Who makes the best dish and what is the dish?

Josh Hill makes the best dish; it’s lasagne with salad.

4. What do you do after a game to relax?

I go into an ice bath, and when I get home I play PlayStation and spend time with my family.

5. Do you have a favourite song you like to listen to before game day?

No, I like all types of music and I don’t mind love songs.

6. How old where you when you played your first ever football game?

I was 5 years old.

7. How do you think WCE will go this year?

Good, I think we will get to the finals.

8. Who snores the loudest?

Nic Nat snores the loudest.

9. How do you feel having longer breaks today because of the heat?

It’s good, it’s very dangerous to get over heated and we will get more time to cool down.

10. How do you feel about WCE being 30 years old?

It feels good, I hope West Coast keeps going.

11. How do you feel playing for WCE when their turning 30?

I feel very proud playing when their turning 30.

I had fun talking with Lewis Jetta. Thank you so much Lewis Jetta for talking with me. It was great to meet you.

Thank you to the major sponsors for today – 96FM, Bankwest, SGIO, Toyota, Coca-Cola and Masters Milk – and everyone else who supported the day.

A big thank you to all the West Coast Eagles staff; it was a great day. I had fun and I hope everyone else did.

Thank you again Eagles, and to the team, you played a great game!

Abby Hennighan, West Coast Eagles junior reporter

See you next time!