The West Coast Eagles will honour Jack de Gracie during its annual HMAS Sydney II fixture tonight.
West Coast and Sydney have competed for the HMAS Sydney II trophy since 2010.
The match seeks to honour and remember the lives of all 645 crew that died when the HMAS Sydney II disappeared without a trace off the Western Australian coast on November 19, 1941.
This year’s instalment taken on extra significance as it pays tribute to the talented footballer and HMAS Sydney II seaman.
De Gracie played reserves football for the West Perth Football Club in the WAFL competition before moving to Melbourne at the age of 22 to enlist at the Flinders Naval Depot.
While training for the navy, de Gracie was signed by the South Melbourne Football Club to play in the VFL competition.
He graduated from the navy and was the last man posted to the HMAS Sydney II before it departed on its fateful last voyage.
Wes Olson, author of HMAS Sydney II: In Peace and War, said: “Jack was an extremely tall man at 6” 8, which in those days was extremely tall and weighed 105 kg. His nickname in the Navy was ‘The Navy’s Big Gun’.
In the lead up to this significant round, West Coast Eagles captain Shannon Hurn and midfielder Chris Masten paid their respects at the HMAS Sydney II memorial in Geraldton early this year.
Hurn said the team always looked forward to competing for the HMAS Sydney II trophy.
“This is a great initiative by both football clubs and this year’s match is all the more special considering we are honouring a man who has a connection to WA football and the South Melbourne Football Club,” he said.
