The world of sport in Western Australia in 2025 was not just about breathtaking goals, record-breaking runs, and dramatic victories. It was also a year filled with words that captured the spirit, humour, and sheer unpredictability of competition. From profound thank-yous to downright bizarre analogies, the state's athletes and coaches provided a soundtrack to the season that will be remembered long after the final siren.
Here are ten of the most unforgettable WA-related sporting quotes from an action-packed twelve months.
From the Locker Room to the Limelight
Some quotes offer a raw glimpse into the competitive mindset that defines elite sport. Western Force coach Simon Cron provided a classic example in March. When questioned if his team had treated a clash with the Crusaders as a scheduled loss due to missing stars, Cron's response was both telling and humorous. "My expectation is when these boys wake up and go to the toilet, they compete," he said, perfectly illustrating the relentless drive he demands.
That same fiery spirit was on display in August during Fremantle Dockers' nail-biting win over Port Adelaide. With seconds remaining, defenders Alex Pearce and Brennan Cox debated who should swing forward. Pearce, with only eight career goals to his name at that point, showed supreme confidence. "I've had a little bit of success recently, so I said, 'stay there champ, I'll go out and do it'," he recalled. He did just that, taking a huge contested mark and slotting the match-winning goal, sending Dockers fans into raptures.
In April, the athletics world focused on Perth as teenage sensation Gout Gout announced his arrival with wind-assisted times of 9.99 seconds in the 100m and 19.84 seconds in the 200m. The 17-year-old's ambition was crystal clear. "These are the steps you take to the top and these are the steps I have to take to potentially become a world champion or an Olympic champion," he stated, marking the Perth meet as a mere stepping stone in his audacious career plans.
Moments of High Drama and Emotion
2025 delivered no shortage of heart-stopping moments, often accompanied by poignant words. In June, a packed Optus Stadium held its breath for 89 minutes during a crucial Socceroos World Cup qualifier. The deadlock was broken by Aziz Behich, whose strike sparked pandemonium. Interestingly, the hero didn't even see it go in. "I actually didn't see the ball as it hit the net; I just saw the crowd erupt and players start running everywhere, and that's when I looked at the goal," Behich revealed, describing a moment of pure instinct and reaction.
The emotional peak of the AFL home-and-away season came in Round 23, when Fremantle champion Nat Fyfe addressed the Purple Army after a loss to Brisbane. In a moving tribute, Fyfe took the microphone and declared, "I'll always be a Fremantle person." While it wasn't his final match—the Dockers secured a home final three weeks later—the guard of honour and heartfelt speech cemented his legacy as one of the club's greatest ever players.
A very different kind of emotion was on display in April, when West Coast Eagles co-captain Oscar Allen faced the media alongside football boss John Worsfold. His meeting with Hawthorn coach Sam Mitchell had become public, sparking a season-long saga. "I just felt quite embarrassed and ashamed in front of the boys... I mostly feel remorseful towards our fans, our playing members, supporters, staff," Allen said in a sincere apology. The episode ultimately led to his trade to Brisbane.
The Bizarre, The Funny, and The Legendary
No sporting year is complete without its share of oddities and laughs. Perth Wildcats owner Mark Arena stood firm in May amidst fan dismay over the departure of superstar Bryce Cotton. "No regrets. We did what we thought is, and what we still believe is, right for the Wildcats," Arena stated. Cotton would later return in December to lead a stunning comeback win against his new team, Adelaide.
Always a reliable source of candid commentary, Mitch Marsh was at his self-deprecating best ahead of the Perth Ashes Test in October. When asked if he thought he'd be in the frame for selection, Marsh quipped, "I'll be six beers deep by lunch on day one." His prediction about being omitted was correct, as he watched Travis Head play what former English foe Stuart Broad called "one of the greatest Ashes innings of all time."
Broad himself provided a viral moment in the commentary box, unable to hide his disgust at England's batting collapses. His pained reaction—closing his eyes, pinching his nose, and folding his arms—became an iconic image of the series.
However, the unofficial title for the most bizarre quote of the year was secured by Perth Glory's caretaker-turned-permanent coach, Adam Griffiths. In a motivational spiel that left many bewildered, he proclaimed, "This mountain goat loves being on this mountain. He loves the risk... Now, I want you to forget about the mountain goat. Erase it from your memory... I am a lion." Whatever it meant, it worked; Griffiths secured the full-time job and promised more enigmatic wisdom for the season ahead.
From the profound to the peculiar, these quotes defined a memorable year in Western Australian sport, proving that sometimes, what is said off the field resonates just as powerfully as the action on it.
