Swan Districts Football Club
Encyclopedia
The Swan Districts Football Club, nicknamed the Swans, is an Australian rules football
club playing in the West Australian Football League
(WAFL). The club is based at Bassendean Oval, in Bassendean
, an eastern suburb of Perth
, Western Australia
. The club was formed in 1932, and joined the WANFL in 1934
, acting as a successor to the Midland Junction Football Club
, which had disbanded during World War I, in the Perth Hills region.
. Ted Holdsworth
kicked 109 goals in the first 14 games of the 1934 season and was the fifth top goal kicker for that season.
In 1935, Swans finished 6th on the WAFL Ladder with 6 wins and 12 losses and George Krepp
won the Sandover Medal
for that season. The 1936 season saw the Swans pick up 9 wins and 11 losses but still finish seventh on the League Ladder.
The 1937 season saw Swan Districts, under new coach Jim Ditchburn
, finish in 3rd place on the League Ladder with 14 wins and 7 losses, and play in their first final series. East Perth
beat Swan Districts 13.9 (87) – 11.7 (73) in the first semi-final.
The team had another good season in 1938, finishing 3rd with 11 wins and nine losses but were again beaten by East Perth 8.18 (66) – 8.17 (65) in the first semi-final by a single point.
By 1939, Swans slid to 6th on the ladder and in 1940 and 1941 finished last on the league ladder with 2 wins in 1940 and 3 in 1941.
Due to the Second World War the WANFL suspended a senior competition and implemented an under age competition to replace it. In 1942 Swans were unable to raise a side to play and did not compete in the 1942 season at all.
By 1943 Swan Districts assembled a side to compete in the under age competition that was still running for that season. The team performed exceedingly well, finishing 4th on the ladder with 9 wins and 8 losses, then winning the first semi-final against West Perth
followed by another victory against Subiaco
in the preliminary Final. Swans the played in the their first Grand Final only to be defeated by East Fremantle
. The final score was East Fremantle 17.15 (117) to Swan Districts 11.11 (77).
Jim Davies became the second Swan Districts player to win a Sandover Medal
in 1944 with 33 votes in what was otherwise a forgettable season with Swans finishing 6th on the ladder, but in 1945 their fortunes improved as they finished 4th on the league ladder only to be defeated in the first semi-final by South Fremantle
. However, after this Swan Districts fell of dramatically for the next fifteen years. During this period they never finished higher than sixth of eight teams, and overall won only about 20 percent of all their games. However, in 1957 Swan Districts won their first Thirds Premiership, repeating the dose in 1958, and these teams provided the nucleus of their successes in the 1960s.
After finishing last in 1960, Swan Districts appointed Haydn Bunton Junior as senior coach in early 1961, which saw the Swans win their first flag in 1961, with two more following in 1962 and 1963. Their fall afterwards was however just as rapid as their rise from 1960 to 1961. Swans finished only fifth in 1964, and after being overwhelmed by East Fremantle in the 1965 Grand Final, they fell off completely in the following eight years. In 1968, they came nearer to a winless season than any team in senior WAFL competition between 1918 and 1998: winning only one game after the siren by a point against East Fremantle, and scored their all-time lowest score against East Perth. Swan Districts were also last in 1970 and 1971, and not until 1974 did they again make the finals, under the coaching of Jack Ensor, who most unusually never played senior League Football. Again, however, they declined abruptly, falling to wooden spooners again in 1977 and 1978.
John Todd
, who took the coaching reins at Bassendean in 1977 and began with a big clean-out of players, brought with him a new winning culture, one which would emulate that of the Haydn Bunton era. By the 1980s, the Swans became the dominant side in the WAFL, winning three straight flags in 1982, 1983 and 1984 and a further flag in 1990 after his stint as coach with the West Coast Eagles
.
Brian Dawson took over as coach of the seniors in 2008 and the club rebounded from disappointing results in the previous two years to play in the 2008 Grand Final which they lost to Subiaco
. Dawson then steered the team to a preliminary final in 2009. Dawson announced his retirement at the end of the 2010 season. then took the team to the Grand Final which they won over Claremont
by a single point. Andrew Krakouer
won the Simpson Medal
on top of winning the Sandover Medal
for 2010, he accumulated 42 possessions during the grand final and kicked the last goal of the game ensuring Swan won the flag. Josh Roberts will be remembered as the premiership skipper in his first year as captain.
Greg Harding
was appointed as senior coach for the 2011 season. The club had a poor season finishing the season with only 6 wins from 19 games and finishing second from bottom of the league ladder.
1935, Jim Davies
1944, Haydn Bunton Junior 1962, Bill Walker 1965–1967 & 1970, Phil Narkle
1982, Mick Grasso 1990, Jeremy Wasley 1996, Shane Beros 2003, Andrew Krakouer
2010.
Most Games: Bill Walker 305
WANFL/WAFL
Premierships: 1961-62-63, 1982-83-84, 1990, 2010
Record Home Attendance: 22,350 v West Perth
, 19 May 1980
1961 Grand Final Swan Districts 17.9 (111) defeated East Perth 12.15 (87)
1961 Premiership Team
1962 Finals Swan Districts defeat East Fremantle in the second semi final.
1962 Grand Final Swan Districts 14.10 (94) defeated East Fremantle 10.16 (76)
1962 Premiership Team
1963 Finals Swan Districts defeat East Perth in the first semi final, then Swan Districts defeat Perth in the Preliminary Final
1963 Grand Final Swan Districts 17.10 (112) defeated East Fremantle 13.12 (90)
1963 Premiership Team
1982 Finals Swan Districts defeat Claremont in the second semi final
1982 Grand Final Swan Districts 18.19 (127) defeated Claremont 11.12 (78)
1982 Premiership Team
1983 Finals Swan Districts defeat East Fremantle in the first semi final, then Swan Districts defeat South Fremantle in Preliminary Final
1983 Grand Final Swan Districts 15.14 (104) defeated Claremont 12.11 (83)
1983 Premiership Team
1984 Finals East Fremantle defeat Swan Districts in the second semi final, then Swan Districts defeat Claremont in Preliminary Final
1984 Grand Final Swan Districts 20.18 (138) defeated East Fremantle 15.12 (102)
1984 Premiership Team
1990 Finals Claremont defeat Swan Districts in the second semi final, then Swan Districts defeat South Fremantle in Preliminary Final
1990 Grand Final Swan Districts 16.7 (103) defeated Claremont 10.17 (77)
1990 Premiership Team
2010 Finals Claremont defeat Swan Districts in the second semi final, then Swan Districts defeat East Perth in Preliminary Final
2010 Grand Final Swan Districts 14.16 (100) defeated Claremont 14.15 (99)
2010 Premiership Team
Ted Holdsworth
was the first Swan Districts player to kick more than 100 goals.
The most goals ever kicked in a season by a Swan Districts player was by Simon Beasley
who kicked 119 goals in 1981,. Warren Ralph
kicked 120 goals for Claremont
and won the Bernie Naylor
Medal.
is awarded to the leading goal kicker in the WAFL.
Max George was the first Swan Districts player to top the WAFL goal kickers list and win the award in 1974 when he kicked 90 goals during the season.
Simon Beasley
shared the Bernie Naylor Medal in 1980 with Warren Ralph
of Claremont
(97 goals)
Brent Hutton
won the award in 1984 (83 goals) and Kevin Caton
won it again in 1992 (51 goals).
written by Harry Akst and Benny Davis.
The club's song lyrics were written by John Watts
.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
club playing in the West Australian Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WAFL). The club is based at Bassendean Oval, in Bassendean
Bassendean, Western Australia
Bassendean is a northeastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia. Its Local Government Area is the Town of Bassendean.Bassendean is home to the Western Australian Rail Transport Museum. The display has a collection of Steam and Diesel Locomotives, most of these have been restored to operating...
, an eastern suburb of Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
. The club was formed in 1932, and joined the WANFL in 1934
1934 WANFL season
-Round 2 :-Awards:* Sammy Clarke won the Sandover Medal.* George Doig was the leading goalkicker, with 152 goals, at the time an Australian record....
, acting as a successor to the Midland Junction Football Club
Midland Junction Football Club
Midland Junction Football Club, nicknamed the Railways, was an Australian rules football club that competed in the West Australian Football League . The club played in the WAFL, the premier football league in Western Australia, from 1905 to 1910 and again from 1914 to 1917. They team wore black and...
, which had disbanded during World War I, in the Perth Hills region.
History
Swan Districts finished 7th on the WAFL ladder winning 7 out of 21 games in their debut season in 19341934 WANFL season
-Round 2 :-Awards:* Sammy Clarke won the Sandover Medal.* George Doig was the leading goalkicker, with 152 goals, at the time an Australian record....
. Ted Holdsworth
Ted Holdsworth
Henry Edwin Arthur "Ted" Holdsworth is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club....
kicked 109 goals in the first 14 games of the 1934 season and was the fifth top goal kicker for that season.
In 1935, Swans finished 6th on the WAFL Ladder with 6 wins and 12 losses and George Krepp
George Krepp
George Llewellyn Krepp is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A speedy and rugged wingman, Krepp was one of Swan Districts' best players and won the club's fairest and best...
won the Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
for that season. The 1936 season saw the Swans pick up 9 wins and 11 losses but still finish seventh on the League Ladder.
The 1937 season saw Swan Districts, under new coach Jim Ditchburn
Jim Ditchburn
Albert James "Jim" Ditchburn was an Australian sportsman who represented Western Australia in both Australian rules football and first-class cricket. He played and coached in the Western Australian National Football League during the 1930sDitchburn, who was born in the Western Australian...
, finish in 3rd place on the League Ladder with 14 wins and 7 losses, and play in their first final series. East Perth
East Perth Football Club
The East Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Royals, is an Australian rules football club that is a member of the West Australian Football League...
beat Swan Districts 13.9 (87) – 11.7 (73) in the first semi-final.
The team had another good season in 1938, finishing 3rd with 11 wins and nine losses but were again beaten by East Perth 8.18 (66) – 8.17 (65) in the first semi-final by a single point.
By 1939, Swans slid to 6th on the ladder and in 1940 and 1941 finished last on the league ladder with 2 wins in 1940 and 3 in 1941.
Due to the Second World War the WANFL suspended a senior competition and implemented an under age competition to replace it. In 1942 Swans were unable to raise a side to play and did not compete in the 1942 season at all.
By 1943 Swan Districts assembled a side to compete in the under age competition that was still running for that season. The team performed exceedingly well, finishing 4th on the ladder with 9 wins and 8 losses, then winning the first semi-final against West Perth
West Perth Football Club
The West Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Falcons, is an Australian rules football club located in Joondalup, Western Australia, competing in the West Australian Football League . It is the oldest existing Australian rules football club in Western Australia. It competes in the West Australian...
followed by another victory against Subiaco
Subiaco Football Club
The Subiaco Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . It was founded in 1896, and admitted to the WAFL in 1901, along with North Fremantle...
in the preliminary Final. Swans the played in the their first Grand Final only to be defeated by East Fremantle
East Fremantle Football Club
The East Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Sharks, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The team's home ground is East Fremantle Oval...
. The final score was East Fremantle 17.15 (117) to Swan Districts 11.11 (77).
Jim Davies became the second Swan Districts player to win a Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
in 1944 with 33 votes in what was otherwise a forgettable season with Swans finishing 6th on the ladder, but in 1945 their fortunes improved as they finished 4th on the league ladder only to be defeated in the first semi-final by South Fremantle
South Fremantle Football Club
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...
. However, after this Swan Districts fell of dramatically for the next fifteen years. During this period they never finished higher than sixth of eight teams, and overall won only about 20 percent of all their games. However, in 1957 Swan Districts won their first Thirds Premiership, repeating the dose in 1958, and these teams provided the nucleus of their successes in the 1960s.
After finishing last in 1960, Swan Districts appointed Haydn Bunton Junior as senior coach in early 1961, which saw the Swans win their first flag in 1961, with two more following in 1962 and 1963. Their fall afterwards was however just as rapid as their rise from 1960 to 1961. Swans finished only fifth in 1964, and after being overwhelmed by East Fremantle in the 1965 Grand Final, they fell off completely in the following eight years. In 1968, they came nearer to a winless season than any team in senior WAFL competition between 1918 and 1998: winning only one game after the siren by a point against East Fremantle, and scored their all-time lowest score against East Perth. Swan Districts were also last in 1970 and 1971, and not until 1974 did they again make the finals, under the coaching of Jack Ensor, who most unusually never played senior League Football. Again, however, they declined abruptly, falling to wooden spooners again in 1977 and 1978.
John Todd
John Todd (footballer)
John Todd is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. After becoming youngest ever winner of the Sandover Medal in his first year of senior football he suffered a serious knee injury, which affected his playing career...
, who took the coaching reins at Bassendean in 1977 and began with a big clean-out of players, brought with him a new winning culture, one which would emulate that of the Haydn Bunton era. By the 1980s, the Swans became the dominant side in the WAFL, winning three straight flags in 1982, 1983 and 1984 and a further flag in 1990 after his stint as coach with the West Coast Eagles
West Coast Eagles
The West Coast Eagles are an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League. The club is based in Perth, Western Australia. The club was founded in 1986 and played its first games in the 1987 season. Its current home ground is Subiaco Oval...
.
Brian Dawson took over as coach of the seniors in 2008 and the club rebounded from disappointing results in the previous two years to play in the 2008 Grand Final which they lost to Subiaco
Subiaco Football Club
The Subiaco Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . It was founded in 1896, and admitted to the WAFL in 1901, along with North Fremantle...
. Dawson then steered the team to a preliminary final in 2009. Dawson announced his retirement at the end of the 2010 season. then took the team to the Grand Final which they won over Claremont
Claremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
by a single point. Andrew Krakouer
Andrew J. Krakouer
Andrew James Krakouer is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played for the Richmond Football Club in the AFL and played for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League .-Early life:Krakouer is the son...
won the Simpson Medal
Simpson Medal
The Simpson Medal, a prize for Australian rules football, has been donated by Dr. Fred Simpson and family since 1945. It is awarded to the best player in a WAFL Grand Final and the best player in an interstate game involving Western Australia....
on top of winning the Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
for 2010, he accumulated 42 possessions during the grand final and kicked the last goal of the game ensuring Swan won the flag. Josh Roberts will be remembered as the premiership skipper in his first year as captain.
Greg Harding
Greg Harding
Greg Harding is an Australian rules footballer. He played for both the Fremantle Football Club and the West Coast Eagles. He was drafted by Fremantle from Claremont in the WAFL as a zone selection in the 1995 AFL Draft and played mainly as a defender.He made his AFL debut in the opening round...
was appointed as senior coach for the 2011 season. The club had a poor season finishing the season with only 6 wins from 19 games and finishing second from bottom of the league ladder.
Statistics
Sandover Medallists: George KreppGeorge Krepp
George Llewellyn Krepp is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A speedy and rugged wingman, Krepp was one of Swan Districts' best players and won the club's fairest and best...
1935, Jim Davies
Jim Davies (footballer)
Jim Davies was an Australian rules footballer who played for Swan Districts in the WANFL and Carlton in the VFL....
1944, Haydn Bunton Junior 1962, Bill Walker 1965–1967 & 1970, Phil Narkle
Phil Narkle
Phillip Michael "Phil" Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the St Kilda Football Club and West Coast Eagles Football Club in the Australian Football League and Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the...
1982, Mick Grasso 1990, Jeremy Wasley 1996, Shane Beros 2003, Andrew Krakouer
Andrew J. Krakouer
Andrew James Krakouer is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played for the Richmond Football Club in the AFL and played for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League .-Early life:Krakouer is the son...
2010.
Most Games: Bill Walker 305
WANFL/WAFL
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
Premierships: 1961-62-63, 1982-83-84, 1990, 2010
Record Home Attendance: 22,350 v West Perth
West Perth Football Club
The West Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Falcons, is an Australian rules football club located in Joondalup, Western Australia, competing in the West Australian Football League . It is the oldest existing Australian rules football club in Western Australia. It competes in the West Australian...
, 19 May 1980
League premiership teams
1961 Finals Swan Districts lost the second semi final to East Perth, then beat Subiaco in the Preliminary Final to win through to the Grand Final1961 Grand Final Swan Districts 17.9 (111) defeated East Perth 12.15 (87)
1961 Premiership Team
| Backs: | C Maynard | Joe Lawson Joe Lawson (footballer) Joseph James "Joe" Lawson is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Tony Nesbit Tony Nesbit Anthony "Tony" Nesbit is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
| Half Backs: | W Brown | Ken Bagley Ken Bagley Ken Bagley is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL from 1958-1970.A life member of Swan Districts, Bagley played 232 games for the swans and was a premiership player three times in 1961, 1962 and 1963... |
D Thompson |
| Centres: | B Gray | M Kelleher | J Mack |
| Half Forwards: | M Ashworth | John Turnbull John Turnbull John Turnbull is an English pop and rock guitarist and singer.He has played in bands such as Skip Bifferty, The Chosen Few, Arc, Loving Awareness, Glencoe, Nick Lowe, Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys, Eurythmics, Talk Talk, Londonbeat, Paul Young, Bob Geldof, World Party, Kaos Band and Ian... |
K Watt |
| Forwards: | Cyril Litterick Cyril Litterick Cyril Oliver Litterick is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. He was regarded as a formidable ruckman and able to kick goals while resting in the forward pocket... |
L Johnston | Bill Walker |
| Ruck: | Keith Slater Keith Slater Keith Nichol Slater is a former Western Australian and Australian cricketer and WAFL player.... |
Fred Castledine Fred Castledine Fred Castledine is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. His career with Swan Districts commenced in 1958 when the Swans were languishing at the bottom of the league ladder. He is described as a... |
Haydn Bunton, Jr |
| Interchange: | C Noble | A Sangalli | |
| Coach: | Haydn Bunton, Jr |
1962 Finals Swan Districts defeat East Fremantle in the second semi final.
1962 Grand Final Swan Districts 14.10 (94) defeated East Fremantle 10.16 (76)
1962 Premiership Team
| Backs: | K Cooper | Joe Lawson Joe Lawson (footballer) Joseph James "Joe" Lawson is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Tony Nesbit Tony Nesbit Anthony "Tony" Nesbit is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
| Half Backs: | W Brown | Ken Bagley Ken Bagley Ken Bagley is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL from 1958-1970.A life member of Swan Districts, Bagley played 232 games for the swans and was a premiership player three times in 1961, 1962 and 1963... |
G Devitt |
| Centres: | B Gray | C Maynard | F Copeman |
| Half Forwards: | C Noble | John Turnbull John Turnbull John Turnbull is an English pop and rock guitarist and singer.He has played in bands such as Skip Bifferty, The Chosen Few, Arc, Loving Awareness, Glencoe, Nick Lowe, Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys, Eurythmics, Talk Talk, Londonbeat, Paul Young, Bob Geldof, World Party, Kaos Band and Ian... |
K Watt |
| Forwards: | Cyril Litterick Cyril Litterick Cyril Oliver Litterick is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. He was regarded as a formidable ruckman and able to kick goals while resting in the forward pocket... |
Eric Gorman Eric Gorman Eric Desmond Gorman is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Bill Walker |
| Ruck: | Keith Slater Keith Slater Keith Nichol Slater is a former Western Australian and Australian cricketer and WAFL player.... |
Fred Castledine Fred Castledine Fred Castledine is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. His career with Swan Districts commenced in 1958 when the Swans were languishing at the bottom of the league ladder. He is described as a... |
Haydn Bunton, Jr |
| Interchange: | H Fullgrabe | M Drennan | |
| Coach: | Haydn Bunton, Jr |
1963 Finals Swan Districts defeat East Perth in the first semi final, then Swan Districts defeat Perth in the Preliminary Final
1963 Grand Final Swan Districts 17.10 (112) defeated East Fremantle 13.12 (90)
1963 Premiership Team
| Backs: | K Cooper | Joe Lawson Joe Lawson (footballer) Joseph James "Joe" Lawson is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Tony Nesbit Tony Nesbit Anthony "Tony" Nesbit is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
| Half Backs: | C Maynard | Fred Castledine Fred Castledine Fred Castledine is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. His career with Swan Districts commenced in 1958 when the Swans were languishing at the bottom of the league ladder. He is described as a... |
G Devitt |
| Centres: | B Gray | John Turnbull John Turnbull John Turnbull is an English pop and rock guitarist and singer.He has played in bands such as Skip Bifferty, The Chosen Few, Arc, Loving Awareness, Glencoe, Nick Lowe, Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys, Eurythmics, Talk Talk, Londonbeat, Paul Young, Bob Geldof, World Party, Kaos Band and Ian... |
D Sidebottom |
| Half Forwards: | C Noble | Ken Bagley Ken Bagley Ken Bagley is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL from 1958-1970.A life member of Swan Districts, Bagley played 232 games for the swans and was a premiership player three times in 1961, 1962 and 1963... |
K Watt |
| Forwards: | Cyril Litterick Cyril Litterick Cyril Oliver Litterick is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. He was regarded as a formidable ruckman and able to kick goals while resting in the forward pocket... |
Eric Gorman Eric Gorman Eric Desmond Gorman is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Bill Walker |
| Ruck: | Keith Slater Keith Slater Keith Nichol Slater is a former Western Australian and Australian cricketer and WAFL player.... |
F Copeman | Haydn Bunton, Jr |
| Interchange: | R McVee | P Downey | |
| Coach: | Haydn Bunton, Jr |
1982 Finals Swan Districts defeat Claremont in the second semi final
1982 Grand Final Swan Districts 18.19 (127) defeated Claremont 11.12 (78)
1982 Premiership Team
| Backs: | P Kenny | Tom Mullooly Tom Mullooly Thomas Cade "Tom" Mullooly is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Bill Skwirowski Bill Skwirowski William "Bill" Skwirowski is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Swan Districts in the Western Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s.... |
| Half Backs: | Graham Melrose Graham Melrose Graham Thomas Melrose is a former Australian rules football player regarded as a competitive and skilful rover with particularly accurate foot passing. He began his career at East Fremantle in the WAFL competition in 1967... |
Alan Cransberg Alan Cransberg Alan John Cransberg is an Australian businessman and former Australian rules footballer... |
Anthony Solin Anthony Solin Anthony "Tony" Solin is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club, South Fremantle Football Club and East Fremantle Football Club.... |
| Centres: | Phil Narkle Phil Narkle Phillip Michael "Phil" Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the St Kilda Football Club and West Coast Eagles Football Club in the Australian Football League and Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the... |
Leon Baker Leon Baker Leon Baker is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Essendon Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the 1980s.... |
Jeff Davidson |
| Half Forwards: | Brad Shine Brad Shine Bradley John Shine is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Shine was recruited to Swan Districts in 1980 the same year as Graham Melrose and Anthony Solin... |
Murray Rance Murray Rance Murray Rance is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and West Coast in the Victorian Football League during the late 1980s.... |
Keith Narkle Keith Narkle Keith Paul Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s... |
| Forwards: | Allan Sidebottom Allan Sidebottom Allan Norman Sidebottom is a former Australian rules footballer who played with St Kilda and Fitzroy in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s.... |
Stan Nowotny Stan Nowotny Stanley Robert "Stan" Nowotny is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League from 1969 to 1983.-References:... |
Don Holmes Don Holmes Donald Shane "Don" Holmes is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A local boy from Bassendean Holmes made his debut in 1978 at nineteen years of age... |
| Ruck: | Ron Boucher Ron Boucher Ron Boucher is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club... |
Jon Fogarty Jon Fogarty (footballer) Jonathon Alfred "Jon" Fogarty is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Mike Richardson |
| Interchange: | Don Langsford Don Langsford Donald Leslie "Don" Langsford is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
R Fitzgerald | |
| Coach: | John Todd John Todd (footballer) John Todd is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. After becoming youngest ever winner of the Sandover Medal in his first year of senior football he suffered a serious knee injury, which affected his playing career... |
1983 Finals Swan Districts defeat East Fremantle in the first semi final, then Swan Districts defeat South Fremantle in Preliminary Final
1983 Grand Final Swan Districts 15.14 (104) defeated Claremont 12.11 (83)
1983 Premiership Team
| Backs: | Bill Skwirowski Bill Skwirowski William "Bill" Skwirowski is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Swan Districts in the Western Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s.... |
Anthony Solin Anthony Solin Anthony "Tony" Solin is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club, South Fremantle Football Club and East Fremantle Football Club.... |
Peter Ware |
| Half Backs: | Don Langsford Don Langsford Donald Leslie "Don" Langsford is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Murray Rance Murray Rance Murray Rance is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and West Coast in the Victorian Football League during the late 1980s.... |
Leigh Brenton |
| Centres: | Keith Narkle Keith Narkle Keith Paul Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s... |
Mike Smith | Phil Narkle Phil Narkle Phillip Michael "Phil" Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the St Kilda Football Club and West Coast Eagles Football Club in the Australian Football League and Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the... |
| Half Forwards: | Gerard Neesham Gerard Neesham Gerard Neesham is a former Australian rules footballer in the WAFL and VFL as well as coach in the WAFL and AFL. Today he is chief executive of the Clontarf Foundation.-Playing career:... |
Peter Kenny | Don Holmes Don Holmes Donald Shane "Don" Holmes is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A local boy from Bassendean Holmes made his debut in 1978 at nineteen years of age... |
| Forwards: | Barry Kimberley Barry Kimberley Barry Robert Kimberley is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club and the Perth Football Club.... |
Leon Baker Leon Baker Leon Baker is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Essendon Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the 1980s.... |
Ron Boucher Ron Boucher Ron Boucher is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club... |
| Ruck: | Peter Sartori Peter Sartori Peter David Sartori is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Carlton Football Club and the Fitzroy Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s.... |
Jon Fogarty Jon Fogarty (footballer) Jonathon Alfred "Jon" Fogarty is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Brad Shine Brad Shine Bradley John Shine is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Shine was recruited to Swan Districts in 1980 the same year as Graham Melrose and Anthony Solin... |
| Interchange: | Alan Cransberg Alan Cransberg Alan John Cransberg is an Australian businessman and former Australian rules footballer... |
Stan Nowotny Stan Nowotny Stanley Robert "Stan" Nowotny is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League from 1969 to 1983.-References:... |
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| Coach: | John Todd John Todd (footballer) John Todd is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. After becoming youngest ever winner of the Sandover Medal in his first year of senior football he suffered a serious knee injury, which affected his playing career... |
1984 Finals East Fremantle defeat Swan Districts in the second semi final, then Swan Districts defeat Claremont in Preliminary Final
1984 Grand Final Swan Districts 20.18 (138) defeated East Fremantle 15.12 (102)
1984 Premiership Team
| Backs: | Bill Skwirowski Bill Skwirowski William "Bill" Skwirowski is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Swan Districts in the Western Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s.... |
Tom Mullooly Tom Mullooly Thomas Cade "Tom" Mullooly is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
G Outridge |
| Half Backs: | Don Langsford Don Langsford Donald Leslie "Don" Langsford is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Murray Rance Murray Rance Murray Rance is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray and West Coast in the Victorian Football League during the late 1980s.... |
Anthony Solin Anthony Solin Anthony "Tony" Solin is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club, South Fremantle Football Club and East Fremantle Football Club.... |
| Centres: | Shane Renfree | Steve Richardson | Keith Narkle Keith Narkle Keith Paul Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the 1970s and 1980s... |
| Half Forwards: | Don Holmes Don Holmes Donald Shane "Don" Holmes is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A local boy from Bassendean Holmes made his debut in 1978 at nineteen years of age... |
Peter Sartori Peter Sartori Peter David Sartori is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Carlton Football Club and the Fitzroy Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the mid to late 1980s and early 1990s.... |
Brad Shine Brad Shine Bradley John Shine is a former Australian rules football player who played for the Carlton Football Club in the AFL and Swan Districts Football Club in the WAFL throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. Shine was recruited to Swan Districts in 1980 the same year as Graham Melrose and Anthony Solin... |
| Forwards: | Joe Ahmat | Brent Hutton Brent Hutton Brent Hutton is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian Football League and Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League .... |
Ken Marshall |
| Ruck: | Michael Johns | Jon Fogarty Jon Fogarty (footballer) Jonathon Alfred "Jon" Fogarty is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Barry Kimberley Barry Kimberley Barry Robert Kimberley is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club and the Perth Football Club.... |
| Interchange: | Kevin Caton Kevin Caton Kevin Caton is a retired Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL for the West Coast Eagles, Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears.-References:... |
Gerard Neesham Gerard Neesham Gerard Neesham is a former Australian rules footballer in the WAFL and VFL as well as coach in the WAFL and AFL. Today he is chief executive of the Clontarf Foundation.-Playing career:... |
|
| Coach: | John Todd John Todd (footballer) John Todd is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. After becoming youngest ever winner of the Sandover Medal in his first year of senior football he suffered a serious knee injury, which affected his playing career... |
1990 Finals Claremont defeat Swan Districts in the second semi final, then Swan Districts defeat South Fremantle in Preliminary Final
1990 Grand Final Swan Districts 16.7 (103) defeated Claremont 10.17 (77)
1990 Premiership Team
| Backs: | Kim Hetherington | Steve Eaton | Brendan Retzlaff |
| Half Backs: | Danny Penny | Paul Gow | Mick Grasso Mick Grasso Dominic "Mick" Grasso is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League . He was the winner of the 1990 Sandover Medal.-Career:... |
| Centres: | Geoff Passeri | Len Gandini | Andrew Holmes |
| Half Forwards: | David Ogg David Ogg David Ogg is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the Brisbane Bears in the Australian Football League .... |
Shaun Davey | Phil Narkle Phil Narkle Phillip Michael "Phil" Narkle is a former Australian rules football player of indigenous background who played for the St Kilda Football Club and West Coast Eagles Football Club in the Australian Football League and Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League during the... |
| Forwards: | Todd Menegola | Shane Strempel Shane Strempel Shane Strempel is a former Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Bears in the Australian Football League .-Career:... |
Peter Hodyl |
| Ruck: | Ken Bell | Don Langsford Don Langsford Donald Leslie "Don" Langsford is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club.... |
Don Holmes Don Holmes Donald Shane "Don" Holmes is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A local boy from Bassendean Holmes made his debut in 1978 at nineteen years of age... |
| Interchange: | Greg Walker | Brent Hutton | |
| Coach: | John Todd John Todd (footballer) John Todd is a former Australian rules footballer and coach. After becoming youngest ever winner of the Sandover Medal in his first year of senior football he suffered a serious knee injury, which affected his playing career... |
2010 Finals Claremont defeat Swan Districts in the second semi final, then Swan Districts defeat East Perth in Preliminary Final
2010 Grand Final Swan Districts 14.16 (100) defeated Claremont 14.15 (99)
2010 Premiership Team
| Backs: | Graham Jetta | Tallan Ames | Matt Riggio | |
| Half Backs: | Wayde Twomey | Matthew Spencer | Clancee Pearce Clancee Pearce Clancee Pearce is an Australian rules footballer for the Fremantle Football Club in the Australian Football League and the Swan Districts Football Club in the West Australian Football League .... |
|
| Centres: | Tom Roach | Josh Roberts | Brett Wolfenden | |
| Half Forwards: | Justin Simpson | Tim Geappen | Paul Richardson | |
| Forwards: | Andrew J. Krakouer Andrew J. Krakouer Andrew James Krakouer is an Australian rules footballer playing for the Collingwood Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played for the Richmond Football Club in the AFL and played for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League .-Early life:Krakouer is the son... |
Ashley Hansen Ashley Hansen Ashley Hansen is an Australian rules footballer most known for his stint with the West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League. Hansen was born in Victoria, Australia and was educated at Mazenod College.... |
Ben Colreavy | |
| Ruck: | Llane Spaanderman Llane Spaanderman Llane Spaanderman is an Australian rules footballer who plays for Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League .... |
Brett Robinson | Travis Casserly | |
| Interchange: | Ryan Davis Ryan Davis (Australian rules footballer) Ryan Davis is an Australian Rules footballer with the West Coast Eagles.-Biography:He started his senior football career at the North Shore Bombers before catching the eye of West Coast Eagle talent scouts. Signing a scholarship with the club in 2007, Davis had an outstanding year playing first... |
Stephen Coniglio Stephen Coniglio Stephen J. Coniglio is an Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League... |
Tony Notte Tony Notte Tony Notte is an Australian rules footballer who played for West Coast Eagles in the Australian Football League . He was recruited from Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League with selection 20 in the 2007 AFL Draft. He made his AFL debut in Round 20, 2008 against the Melbourne... |
Michael Walters |
| Coach: | Brian Dawson |
Team of the Century
Club record goal kickers
- Eric GormanEric GormanEric Desmond Gorman is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club....
– 555 - Ted HoldsworthTed HoldsworthHenry Edwin Arthur "Ted" Holdsworth is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club....
– 532 - Bill Walker – 456
- Don HolmesDon HolmesDonald Shane "Don" Holmes is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club. A local boy from Bassendean Holmes made his debut in 1978 at nineteen years of age...
– 323 - Troy UgleTroy Ugle-Playing career:Ugle began his senior football career with Carey Park in the South West Football League.In 1986 he joined Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League, making his debut the following year...
– 312 - Simon BeasleySimon BeasleySimon Beasley is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League .Recruited from Swan Districts in the WAFL, Beasley moved to Melbourne in 1982 to pursue his career as a stockbroker, and signed with Footscray in the VFL...
– 293 - Andy Holmes – 277
- Kevin CatonKevin CatonKevin Caton is a retired Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL for the West Coast Eagles, Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears.-References:...
– 274 - Mark Olsen – 268
- Brent HuttonBrent HuttonBrent Hutton is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian Football League and Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League ....
– 256
Ted Holdsworth
Ted Holdsworth
Henry Edwin Arthur "Ted" Holdsworth is a former Australian rules footballer who was highly successful in the West Australian National Football League playing for the Swan Districts Football Club....
was the first Swan Districts player to kick more than 100 goals.
The most goals ever kicked in a season by a Swan Districts player was by Simon Beasley
Simon Beasley
Simon Beasley is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League .Recruited from Swan Districts in the WAFL, Beasley moved to Melbourne in 1982 to pursue his career as a stockbroker, and signed with Footscray in the VFL...
who kicked 119 goals in 1981,. Warren Ralph
Warren Ralph
Warren Ralph is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s. He was recruited from Claremont in the West Australian Football League....
kicked 120 goals for Claremont
Claremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
and won the Bernie Naylor
Bernie Naylor
Bernard George "Bernie" Naylor was an Australian rules footballer who was one of the most successful full-forwards in the history of the West Australian Football League...
Medal.
Bernie Naylor Medallists
The Bernie Naylor MedalBernie Naylor Medal
The Bernie Naylor Medal is an Australian rules football award which is given to the leading goalkicker at the end of each home and away season in the West Australian Football League. It is named after South Fremantle full-forward Bernie Naylor...
is awarded to the leading goal kicker in the WAFL.
Max George was the first Swan Districts player to top the WAFL goal kickers list and win the award in 1974 when he kicked 90 goals during the season.
Simon Beasley
Simon Beasley
Simon Beasley is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Footscray in the Victorian Football League .Recruited from Swan Districts in the WAFL, Beasley moved to Melbourne in 1982 to pursue his career as a stockbroker, and signed with Footscray in the VFL...
shared the Bernie Naylor Medal in 1980 with Warren Ralph
Warren Ralph
Warren Ralph is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Carlton in the Victorian Football League during the 1980s. He was recruited from Claremont in the West Australian Football League....
of Claremont
Claremont Football Club
The Claremont Football Club, nicknamed the Tigers, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . Its official colours are navy blue and gold....
(97 goals)
Brent Hutton
Brent Hutton
Brent Hutton is a former Australian rules footballer who played with the West Coast Eagles in the Victorian Football League and Swan Districts in the West Australian Football League ....
won the award in 1984 (83 goals) and Kevin Caton
Kevin Caton
Kevin Caton is a retired Australian rules footballer who played in the VFL/AFL for the West Coast Eagles, Fitzroy and Brisbane Bears.-References:...
won it again in 1992 (51 goals).
Club Song
The Swan Districts club song is to the tune of the 1926 song BabyfaceBaby Face (1926 song)
Baby Face is a popular song. The music was written by Harry Akst, the lyrics by Benny Davis. The song was published in 1926. That same year, Jan Garber had a number one hit with the song....
written by Harry Akst and Benny Davis.
The club's song lyrics were written by John Watts
John Watts (Australian rules footballer)
John Albert Watts is a retired Australian rules football player and former radio broadcaster.-Personal life:...
.
- We're all right,
- We are the mighty fighting black and whites
- There's not another team to match our pace,
- Take our place
- The Swans boys are jumping
- We sure have started something
- Here we come
- Our banners fly on high to show that we have won
- We play with all our might
- Because we're full of fight
- We're the famous
- Black and whites
See also
- Wikipedia listing of Swan Districts Football Club players
External links
- Official Website of the Swan Districts Football Club
- Full Points Footy History of Swan Districts