Mates’ date with grand final

Sunday’s SWFL decider is set to be a massive day for Augusta-Margaret River in their first grand final berth in a decade. But for two best mates, it’s a chance to live out a boyhood dream. Simon Moore and Laine Rasmussen are set to run out in their first grand final together after reuniting at Gloucester Park at the start of the 2021 season. Moore, who joined the Hawks from Subiaco in 2020, convinced Rasmussen to join him after he took a step back from his own WAFL stint with West Perth. The pair had grown up in Perth playing junior footy together at Sorrento-Duncraig before they began playing for the rival WAFL teams. Moore said it was a dream come true to be able to play football with his boyhood friend once again after thinking it was not going to happen. “There was a period of time where I was trying to convince Laine to come to Subiaco and he was trying to get me to come to West Perth, but we just chose to stay loyal to our clubs,” he said. “When I heard that Laine was stepping back from WAFL, I told him it would be a dream come true if he came down to Augusta-Margaret River but I didn’t want to pressure him too much because I knew he has a young family. “It felt like it was too good of an opportunity to not try and convince him again and it’s been an absolute privilege and a dream to spend a year with him travelling up and down playing football. “It felt like we were 15-16 years old again running out for Sorrento-Duncraig.” For Rasmussen, the chance of reuniting with Moore on the footy field had been something the pair had spoken about for 10 years. “Fortunately the stars aligned this year and I’ve really enjoyed being able to travel up and down from Perth with him and play footy with him again,” he said. “Even though it’s much tougher than we played juniors together, it really takes us back to those days at Sorrento-Duncraig. “Being able to play a grand final together would really be a full circle moment for us to top off our football journey, especially after not having much finals success in juniors and watching each other win grand finals in the WAFL. “To win one together would be such a good memory for us to have for a long time.” Rasmussen said he was also “super proud” of Moore’s hard work paying off in winning the Hayward Medal earlier this month. “He’s one of the most hard-working players I have come across and he’s a guy that really dedicates himself to getting better which is something I’ve really admired in him,” he said. “I’m really proud that he got the recognition that he deserves.”