TRIBUTE TO DAKOTA BALDWIN-WRIGHT

BALDWIN-WRIGHT DAKOTA ALEXANDER

16.09.1998 - 24.12.2023

We would like to pay tribute to the great club man that was Dakota Baldwin-Wright, who was tragically taken from us in Prague, the capital city of the Czech Republic, on Christmas Eve.

Dakota or Two Dads (sometimes shortened to Dads), as he was affectionately known, was on the trip of a lifetime and had wanted to celebrate Christmas in one of Europe's most famous cities.

Before he left on his holiday adventure, he had made sure that the club knew he would be back and had requested we keep his cherished number 19 Perth jumper for him to wear when he returned.

He was undoubtedly a favourite son of the club, known for being kindhearted, passionate about the Demons and fun loving. He was quick with a joke or a cheeky comment around the change-rooms and at training but when the ball was bounced he was all action.

As the only remaining player at the club from the famous minor premiership winning 2016 Colts team, Dakota clearly showed his great loyalty to the Demons.

In 2019, he won the Greg Brehaut Medal for the best player in the reserves, having made his senior debut a year earlier before establishing himself as a regular league player and leading the ruck.

He went on to play 44 league games and was respected by all who played with him.

Memories flood back, and we can picture great deeds in our minds. A soaring leap, a will that won games; just last season, he had 32 hit-outs and 16 touches against eventual premiers East Fremantle. We believe that he could have been a state ruckman.

He could play, and he was well loved by his team-mates, and our members but our feeling of loss is for the man himself. The outpouring of grief has come from all in the WAFL, and we thank all those who have reached out to pass on their condolences.

There are lots of stories about Two Dads, from one-off moments to incidents on the footy field that are now being recounted by his team-mates and loved ones. Dakota was someone who made us laugh when we needed a laugh and we want to celebrate the man he was.

Further details will be available shortly about a memorial service for Dakota. There are also plans afoot to further recognise his contribution to football in the state and at his beloved Demons.

Needless to say, his number 19 jumper will be indefinitely retired to honour his legacy.

Perth members and supporters who wish to leave a message for the Club and Dakota's family and loved ones can do so by clicking the link below. These messages will be collated and sent to the family.

Click here to send a message.

Adrian Barich

President

Perth Football Club