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Dockers tribute to MH17 victims

It was a plain white banner that said so much.

Fremantle captain Matthew Pavlich last night led his teammates through the wordless banner at Patersons Stadium.

It was part of an emotional tribute to three young Fremantle members who died on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17.

Moments earlier, the Dockers players ran past about 30 friends of Mo, Evie and Otis Maslin, who had formed a guard of honour after balloons were released by the children’s parents Anthony Maslin and Marite Norris.

Fremantle wore black armbands as a mark of respect for the 298 lives lost on MH17, while a video tribute to the children was shown on the stadium’s big screens.

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Mo, 12, Evie, 10, and Otis, 8, had been travelling from Amsterdam to Perth with their grandfather Nick Norris to be home in time for the start of the school term when MH17 was shot down over Ukraine on July 17.

Mr Maslin and Ms Norris released a heartbreaking statement last week in which they described their intense pain.

A private service to celebrate the lives of the three Maslin children and Mr Norris will be held at Scotch College on Sunday.

Mo was a student and Mr Norris had also attended the school.

Matthew Pavlich of hugs Marite Norris. Picture: Getty Images


Pavlich paused to offer his condolences to the children's parents.

Earlier in the day, midfielder Michael Barlow said the players were honoured to be part of the tribute.

“When we talked about it, Ross stood up and said that it really does put life into perspective,” Barlow told 6PR.

Picture: Getty Images


“To be able to make a little gesture like that tonight, knowing that they were keen Fremantle fans and members… it’s the littlest thing we could do, to pay tribute to them in that way.”

Purple ballons were released by Anthony Maslin and Marite Norris. Picture: Michael Wilson/The West Australian