South Fremantle Football Club

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South Fremantle
Sfrem.PNG
Names
Full name South Fremantle Football Club
Nickname(s) Bulldogs, Souths
2017 season
After finals 3rd
Home-and-away season 2nd
Leading goalkicker Blaine Johnson (59 goals)
Best and fairest Haiden Schloithe
Club details
Founded 1900; 118 years ago (1900)
Colours      Red      White
Competition West Australian Football League
President Haydn Raitt
CEO Tom Bottrell
Coach Todd Curley (2015–)
Captain(s) Ryan Cook
Premierships
Ground(s) Fremantle Oval (capacity: 18,000)
Uniforms
Home
Other information
Official website southfremantlefc.com.au

The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League (WAFL). It was formed in 1900 and plays its home games at Fremantle Oval.

History[edit]

The Fremantle Football Club (originally known as Unions and unrelated to either an earlier club and the current AFL club of the same name) had won ten premierships in the fourteen years that they were in the WA Football Association (now known as the West Australian Football League). By 1899, however, the club suffered from financial problems that caused the club to disband. The South Fremantle Football Club was formed to take their place following an application to the league by Griff John, who would be appointed secretary of the new club, with Tom O'Beirne the inaugural president. Most players, however, were from the defunct Fremantle club.[1][2]

The new club did well in its first year, finishing runners-up.[3] However, over the next three seasons the performance fell away badly and, in April 1904 a Fremantle newspaper confidently reported that South Fremantle would not appear again. However, the club decided to carry on and centreman Harry Hodge took over as skipper, but the season was a disaster. The club won only one game.[4]

They won their first premiership in 1916 and went back-to-back in 1917, both times defeating their local rivals, East Fremantle in the final and challenge final.[5] The 1930s were not as successful, marred by the death of the 23-year-old captain-coach Ron Doig as a result of injuries sustained in a match.[6] After World War II, South experienced their greatest era, with the arrival of future Hall of Fame members Steve Marsh, Bernie Naylor, John Todd and Clive Lewington.[7] Between 1945 and 1956 they would win six premierships, be runners-up three times and make the finals in every season. Since then, however, they have won five more premierships, in 1970, 1980, 1997, 2005 and 2009.[8]

South Fremantle was the first WAFL club to have won 10 grand finals since World War II. Four of their 13 premierships were won against the club's traditional rivals, East Fremantle.

In 2009 South Fremantle's League and Reserves sides won their respective Grand Finals. This was the first time the club had taken the Premiership double since 1954.

Fremantle Derby[edit]

The Fremantle Derby, is traditionally one of the biggest game of the year on the WAFL calendar. The derbies still have a great following but have decreased in importance compared to the Western Derby, the match between WA's two AFL teams.

The Foundation Day derby on the first Monday in June (a public holiday to mark the Foundation of Western Australia in 1829) is commonly the highest attended game of the home and away season. To the end of the 2006 season the two clubs had met 344 times with South Fremantle winning 156 to East Fremantle's 184 wins, 4 Draws have occurred between the two sides.

The club[edit]

Club guernsey & colours[edit]

South Fremantle's Guernsey (shown right) used for all WAFL matches is all white with a red V in the centre of the guernsey. During the 1990s they also introduced the reverse of the traditional guernsey with a white V on a red jumper. The South Fremantle colours of red & white stem from the first Fremantle based team who wore red and white in the mid-1880s.

Supporters[edit]

South Fremantle are one of the most supported clubs in the WAFL.

South hold three notable WAFL Grand Final attendance records, 1979 v East Fremantle, 52,781, the highest ever attendance at a WAFL Grand Final, 1975 v West Perth, 52,322, the second highest ever Grand Final attendance and 1989 v Claremont, 38,198, the highest ever Grand Final attendance in the post AFL period.[9]

On Foundation Day v East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval, South played in front of the biggest crowd of the 2009 WAFL home and away season 11,300.[9]

Souths average attendance at home and away fixtures is 3000, which is amongst the highest for the WAFL.[9]

Club song[edit]

"We're the Bulldogs" is the theme song of the South Fremantle Football Club, played as the league team comes to the field at home and away games, and after a victory.

We are the mighty bulldogs
Always fighting on
With victory and flag our goal
With guts and determination
We put the rest to shame
Because our fighting spirit wins the game.
We're the bulldogs (yes we are)
And we're the greatest (yes we are)
The mighty red 'v' which stands for victory
The rough tough bulldogs (yes we are)
South Fremantle (yes we are)
The southerners for ever more
Down by the port of Fremantle
We hit them really hard
With true grit and courage we win
So come on Souths let's show them
How to play the game to win
South Fremantle for ever more
We're the bulldogs (yes we are)
And we're the greatest (yes we are)
The mighty red 'v' which stands for victory
The rough tough bulldogs (yes we are)
South Fremantle (yes we are)
The southerners for ever more.

Honours[edit]

John Dimmer (coach) and David Gault (captain) celebrate after winning the 2005 WAFL Premiership.

Club honours[edit]

  • WAFL Premierships: (13 total) 1916, 1917, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1970, 1980, 1997, 2005, 2009
  • WAFL Runners-up: (16 total) 1914, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1940, 1945, 1951, 1956, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2006
  • WAFL Minor Premiers: (12 total) 1906, 1915, 1947, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1983, 1997, 1999, 2009
  • WAFL Wooden Spoons: (12 total) 1904, 1920, 1925, 1936, 1943, 1944, 1961, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1972, 1987
  • Reserves Premierships:[10] (10 total) 1936, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 2004, 2009
  • Colts Premierships:[11] (9 total) 1970, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 2002, 2003, 2011, 2012
  • Rodriguez Shield: (6 total) 1983, 1984, 1992, 2001, 2004, 2009

Individual honours[edit]

Records[edit]

  • Highest Score: Round 21, 1981 – 40.18 (258) vs. West Perth at Fremantle Oval
  • Lowest Score: Round 5, 1904 – 0.4 (4) vs. East Fremantle at Fremantle Oval[12]
  • Greatest Winning Margin: Round 3, 1999 – 195 points vs. Peel at Fremantle Oval
  • Greatest Losing Margin: Round 1, 1944 – 256 points vs. East Perth at Perth Oval
  • Most Games: Marty Atkins 266
  • Most Goals: Bernie Naylor 1,023 (1941, 1946–1954)
  • Longest winning streak (league): 17 games from Round 2, 1953 to Round 18, 1953
  • Longest losing streak (league): 18 games from Round 4, 1987 to Round 21, 1987
  • Most goals in a season: 167 by Bernie Naylor in 1953
  • Most goals in a game: 23 by Bernie Naylor vs. Subiaco in 1953
  • Record Home Attendance: Round 10, 1979 – 23,109 vs. East Fremantle
  • Record Finals Attendance: 1979 Grand Final – 52,781 vs East Fremantle at Subiaco Oval [ Highest Ever WAFL Game Attendance Record]

Notable players and coaches[edit]

See also: Wikipedia listing of South Fremantle Football Club players
See also: List of South Fremantle Football Club coaches

Australian Football Hall of Fame[edit]

Ten former South Fremantle players have been inducted in the Australian Football Hall of Fame. Stephen Michael was the first to be inducted in 1999. Steve Marsh and Peter Matera were both in inducted in 2006 followed by Glen Jakovich in 2008, Hassa Mann in 2013, Peter Bell in 2015, Maurice Rioli and Ray Sorrell in 2016 and Bernie Naylor in 2018.[13] John Todd was inducted in the coaches category in 2003.[14]

West Australian Football Hall of Fame[edit]

With the exception of Hassa Mann, each of the South Fremantle players in the Australian Football Hall of Fame is also an inductee in the West Australian Football Hall of Fame, with Marsh and Todd awarded legends status.[15]

South Fremantle Football Club Hall of Fame[edit]

The South Fremantle Hall of Fame was inaugurated in 2011 with an initial induction of 45 players, coaches, administrators and staff from the club's inception in 1900 to 1979. A further induction will occur in 2016 covering the more recent years.[16]

Legends[edit]

Name Playing career Games for SFFC Achievements with SFFC Year inducted
Frank 'Scranno' Jenkins 1937-49 150 1937 Sandover Medal; 1947 Simpson Medal; 1937, 38, 39 Fairest & Bests; 1947, 48 Premierships 2011
Clive Lewington 1939-51 182 1947 Sandover Medal; 1940, 46, 47 Fairest & Bests; 1950 Simpson Medal; 1947, 48, 50 Premierships; 1950, 52, 53, 54 Premiership Coach 2011
Bernie Naylor 1941-54 194 1162 goals; 10-time club leading goalkicker; 6-time WAFL leading goalkicker; 1953 Fairest & Best; 1947, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Frank Treasure 1942-57 254 Premiership Captain; 1947, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Steve Marsh 1945-56 226 1952 Sandover Medal; 1950, 51, 52, 56 Fairest & Bests; 1953 Simpson Medal; 1947, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
John Todd 1955-66 132 1955 Sandover Medal, 1955, 58, 61 Fairest & Bests; 1997 Premiership Coach 2011
John Gerovich 1955-69 221 11-time club leading goalkicker; 3-time WAFL leading goalkicker 2011
Stephen Michael 1975-85 243 1977, 78, 79, 81, 83 Fairest & Bests; 1980, 1981 Sandover Medals; 1983 Simpson Medal; 1980 Premiership, 1983 Tassie Medal 2011

Players[edit]

Name Playing career Games for SFFC Achievements with SFFC Year inducted
Harry Hodge 1900-09 100 Club's first 100-game player; Secretary 1902; Treasurer 1902-06 2011
Johnny Campbell 1916-29 167 1926 Fairest & Best 2011
Sol Lawn 1925-32 123 7-time club leading goalkicker, 2-time WAFL leading goalkicker 2011
Jack Rocchi 1926-29 63 1928 Sandover Medal; 1928, 29 Fairest & Bests 2011
Ron Doig 1927-32 99 Captain; 1932 Captain/Coach 2011
Neil Lewington 1936-45 140 1936 Fairest & Best 2011
Jack 'Corp' Reilly 1937-51 204 1945 Fairest & Best; 1947, 48, 50 Premierships 2011
Dave Ingraham 1940-51 135 1947 Simpson Medal; 1948 Fairest & Best; 1947, 48, 50 Premierships 2011
Eric Eriksson 1942-54 210 1947 Simpson Medal; 1947, 48, 50, 52, 53 Premiership 2011
Norm Smith 1942-57 129 1950, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Harry Carbon 1945-52 141 1947, 50, 52 Premierships 2011
Len Crabbe 1946-53 140 1948, 52 Premierships 2011
Charlie Tyson 1948-55, 61 152 1954 Fairest & Best; 1954 Simpson Medal; 1948, 50, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Laurie Green 1948-54 99 1949 Fairest & Best; 1948, 50, 53 Premierships 2011
Des Kelly 1949-54 102 1952 Simpson Medal; 1950, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
John Colgan 1951-61 220 1953, 54 Premierships 2011
Cliff Hillier 1951-60 160 1959 Fairest & Best; 1952, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Ray Richards 1951-58 147 1952, 54 Premierships 2011
Tony Parentich 1952-61 162 1956 Simpson Medal; 1957 Fairest & Best; 1952, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Barry White 1952-61 160 1952, 53, 54 Premierships 2011
Gary Scott 1957-69 255 1964 Fairest & Best 2011
Tom Grljusich 1960-76 258 1968, 72 Fairest & Bests; 1970 Premiership 2011
Brian Ciccotosto 1967-78 211 1970 Simpson Medal; 1970 Premiership 2011
Joe McKay 1974-82 169 1976 Fairest & Best; 1980 Premiership 2011
Maurice Rioli 1975-81, 88-90 168 1980, 1981, 1983 Simpson Medals; 1980 Premiership 2011
Noel Carter 1978-85 155 1980, 84 Fairest & Bests; 1980 Premiership Captain 2011
Brad Hardie 1979-84, 93 140 1984, 86 Simpson Medals; 1982 Fairest & Best; 1980 Premiership; 1985 Brownlow Medal 2011
Norm McIntosh 1910-19 133 1916, 17 Premierships; Captain; Coach 1929, 33 2015
Frank Collins 1912-19 115 Captain 1916-19; Premiership Captain 1916, 17 2015
Jerry Sunderland 1918-28 1144 Captain-Coach 1926, 28 2015
Ron Edgar 1924-36 173 3-time Fairest and Best; Captain-Coach 1934-35 2015
Cyril Jennings 1924-37 178 Fairest and Best 2015
George White 1928-39 183 Captain 1936-37 2015
Percy Renfrey 1936-48 126 1947 Premiership; Champion Team 1946-76 2015
Don Wares 1945-51 107 1947, 48, 50 Premierships; Vice-President 1968 2015
Jack Murray 1946-53 98 1947, 48, 52, 53 Premierships; Colts Coach 1958-59 2015
Bob Mason 1947-52 121 1947, 48, 50 Premierships 2015
Alby Western 1947-51 102 1947, 48, 50 Premierships 2015
Don Dixon 1948-57 134 1950, 52, 53, 54 Premierships 2015
Don Byfield 1950-63 239 1953, 54 Premierships; Vice-Captain 1959, Committee Member 1972-73 2015
Colin Beard 1959-67, 1972 168 Fairest and best; League Coach 1974-76 2015
Fred Seinor 1961-74 219 1970 Premiership; Captain 1968, 73-74; Fairest and Best 2015
Don Haddow 1969-80 168 1970, 80 Premierships; Colts Premiership Coach 1982, 83; Reserves Coach 1984; League Coach 1985-86 2015
Stan Magro 1970-76 105 Simpson Medal; Vice-Captain 1975; Reserves Premiership Coach 1986; League Coach 1987-90 2015
Tony Morley 1971-81 200 1980 Premiership; Captain 1978 2015
Rod Barrett 1975-84 195 1980 Premiership; Vice-Captain 1983-84 2015
Basil Campbell 1975-81 102 1980 Premiership 2015
Benny Vigona 1977-86 165 1980 Premiership 2015
Jon Dorotich 1981-97 151 1997 Premiership Co-Captain; 2-time Bernie Naylor Medal; 3-time Leading Goalkicker; Simpson Medal 2015
Wally Matera 1982-94 142 3-time Fairest and Best; Captain 1993-94 2015
Brad Collard 1984-95 202 Fairest and Best; Captain 1987, 90-91; Director 2010-13 2015
Craig Edwards 1984-92 163 2-time Fairest and Best; 2-time Leading Goalkicker; Sandover Medal 2015

Officials[edit]

Name Playing career Games for SFFC Achievements with SFFC Year inducted
Griff John Club co-founder 1900 2011
Joe Coates 1904-08; 43 Committee 1910-11; Head Trainer 1913; Coach 1913-19 (1916, 17 Premiership coach); Secretary 1916-19 2011
Jack Polinelli Administrator between 1916–66 2011
Frank Fuhrmann 1924-31 114 Administrator between 1947–60 2011
Bill Hughes 1925-27 46 Administrator between 1929–71 2011
Bill Collins 1926-33 88 Administrator between 1938–66 2011
Frank Harrison Administrator between 1929–69 2011
Tom Bottrell, Sr. Trainer 47 years; Head Trainer 27 years 2011
Ron Greer Administrator between 1955-2011 2011
Dr Dick Reid Club doctor for 33 years 2011
Bev Morris Secretary 1925-28, 42; Treasurer for 28 years; League delegate; Life Member 2015
Don Gillan Trainer 1933-42, 58-66; Head Trainer 1943-50; Committee Member 1945-45 2015
Claude Law Assistant Secretary 1936-42, 45-50; Secretary 1943-44; Committee Member 1950-57; Vice-President 1959, 62-67; League delegate 1962-67 2015
Tom Goldie Trainer 1948-50; Head Trainer 1951-57 2015
Dr Ernie Hodder Club Doctor 1961-81 2015
Joe Maffina Secretary/Manager 1962-67; Donation Bonanza organiser 1990-92 2015
Richard Woodgate 1964 2 Treasurer 1969-71, 77-81; Director 1982-85; Vice-President 1986-91 2015
Chris Martinovich Club Chiropractor 1965-2011 2015
Terry Dean Management Committee 1981; Director 1986-91, 2009; Vice-President 1992-95; President 1996-2008 2015
Ron Porter Propertyman 1987-2011 2015
source: South Fremantle Football Club 2016 Yearbook, page 19

South Fremantle Indigenous Team of the Century[edit]

During NAIDOC Week in 2009, South Fremantle celebrated their long and extensive link to Indigenous Australians by naming an Indigenous Team of the century from the 78 Indigenous players that had played for them since Jimmy Melbourne first played in 1902. Selected by former club captain and chief executive Brian Ciccotosto, premiership coach Mal Brown and journalist Ray Wilson.[17] Four of the players selected, Stephen Michael, Maurice Rioli, Nicky Winmar and Peter Matera, were also selected in the Australia-wide Indigenous Team of the Century.[18]

South Fremantle Indigenous Team of the Century
B: Roger Hayden Shannon Cox Ashley McGrath
HB: Willie Roe Basil Campbell Toby McGrath
C: Peter Matera Maurice Rioli Nicky Winmar
HF: Benny Vigona Stevan Jackson Dean Rioli
F: Jeff Farmer Mark Williams Phil Matera
Foll: Stephen Michael (c) Brad Collard Wally Matera
Int: Cliff Collard Clem Michael Sebastian Rioli
Bill Hayward
Coach: Mal Brown[19]

References and notes[edit]

  1. ^ Christian, Geoff; Lee, Jack; Messenger, Bob (1985). Jordan, Ray, ed. The Footballers: A history of football in Western Australia. St George Books. p. 15.
  2. ^ "FOOTBALL". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 28 May 1900. p. 7. Retrieved 16 March 2011. The South Fremantle club, which has risen out of the ashes of the once redoubtable, but now defunct, Fremantle Club, possesses practically the same combination of players who wore the red and white colours last year. The name is changed but that is all
  3. ^ "FOOTBALL". The West Australian. Perth: National Library of Australia. 17 September 1900. p. 6. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
  4. ^ Christian, Lee & Messenger (1985), p 161
  5. ^ Christian, Lee & Messenger (1985), p 23
  6. ^ Christian, Lee & Messenger (1985), p 32
  7. ^ WA Football Hall of Fame
  8. ^ List of Premiers
  9. ^ a b c wafl.com.au
  10. ^ from 1925
  11. ^ from 1957
  12. ^ lowest score was also recorded Round 2, 1904 against North Fremantle
  13. ^ "Australian Football Hall of Fame – Players".
  14. ^ "Australian Football Hall of Fame – Coaches".
  15. ^ "WA Football Hall of Fame Legends".
  16. ^ "Hall Of Fame".
  17. ^ Wilson, Ray (3 July 2009). "South Fremantle Bulldogs announce Aboriginal team of century".
  18. ^ Moncrieff, Darren (19 June 2009). "South Fremantle to unveil Bulldogs Team of the Century".
  19. ^ Moncrieff, Darren (3 July 2009). "Bulldogs reveal Indigenous Team of the Century".

External links[edit]

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