THE APPLECROSS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB 1952 - 2012 the History of the Applecross Junior Football Club 1952 - 2012
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THE HISTORY OF THE APPLECROSS JUNIOR FOOTBALL CLUB 1952 - 2012 The History of the Applecross Junior Football Club 1952 - 2012 Incorporating the Mount Pleasant Junior Football Club 1960 - 1985 By Drew Gaynor Foreword Contents I am delighted to provide the foreword for "The History of the Applecross Junior Football Club” to mark the 60th anniversary of teams representing this wonderful Foreword I club. I have had a lifelong association with football at all levels and I can honestly Contents ii say my true passion and enjoyment lies with seeing community clubs thrive and Interviews and Assistance iii prosper. As we strive in Western Australia to build a brand new 60,000 seat world Introduction iv class stadium, I am always reminded that the Australian Rules code exists because of community footy. The 1950s and 1960s - The Early Years 1 My son Brad played at Applecross JFC. Like every junior who has played there, he The 1970s and 1980s - Consolidation and Merging of Rival Clubs 18 benefitted from the work of the many officials, parents and volunteers who helped The 1990s and 2000s - Bigger Club, Better Facilities 29 him train and play. Junior sports clubs engender lifelong friendships and teach our Moving Forward 46 young people to be part of the community. Most importantly, Brad had fun at Applecross which is easily the most important ingredient sport brings to our lives. Mount Pleasant Junior Football Club 47 Ovals and Clubhouse 51 There have been some famous football names associated with the club - Neesham, Balme, Krummel, Lang, Annear, Coughlan - even Bon Scott gets a mention! I am Road Trips 59 however delighted that the lamington drives, the committees and the volunteers Jumpers 60 get equal billing. The commitment by volunteers to keep this club going over 60 Club Emblems 61 years is heart-warming. The extraordinary and meticulous work to compile this Year Books 62 information and collect the photographs has produced a beautiful book that will Registration Days 63 bring back great memories for all involved with the club. Parade Days 64 I commend Drew for his labours and to all of the contributors. To all those Trophy Presentation Events 65 involved with AJFC congratulations and well done. I hope you enjoy the book as Social Functions 67 much as I did. East Fremantle Combined Sides 69 Ron Alexander Representative Teams at WAFL and AFL Games 70 Coaches, Managers and Committees 71 Ron Alexander began his career with East Perth where he played 98 games from 1971 to 1975. He was a member of its 1972 premiership team and won the club's fairest and best award in 1974. He moved to Fitzroy in 1976 and captained from 1979 - 80, Applecross Umpires 72 playing 133 games. He represented WA 13 times and Victoria twice and was awarded a Simpson Medal against Victoria in 1974. Whilst in Melbourne he gained a degree in Physical Education and was President of the VFL Players Asso- Premierships and Grand Finals 73 ciation. From 1982 he captain/coached East Fremantle taking them to the grand final in 1984 and 1985, Presidents 74 the latter winning a premiership. In 1986, he coached them to a third grand final but were runners-up. In Senior and Junior Club Awards 75 1987 he became the inaugural coach of the West Coast Eagles. He is currently the Director General of the Department of Sport and Recreation. Ron was involved with the Applecross Junior Football Club from 1989 Best and Fairest Winners 76 - 1992. During this time he was a committee member and mentored and assisted coaches. Club Medals 77 Honorary Life Members 78 Player Life Members 79 WAFL and VFL - AFL Players 83 Message from the Author Best endeavours have been undertaken in presenting the history of the Applecross Junior Past and Present Players 87 Football Club as an accurate account through research, interviews and available documents. Team Photos 102 Misrepresentation of historical facts, photos and records of names may have unwittingly occurred. i | The History of the Applecross Junior Football Club The History of the Applecross Junior Football Club | ii Interviews and Assistance Introduction This book is a historical account of the club from its origins as an inaugural member of the Interviews Assistance East Fremantle District Junior Football Competition in 1952 to the end of season 2012. Whilst June Musto and June Samers Maureen Gathercole this means that the club has been in existence for 61 years, 2012 marks its 60th anniversary of fielding teams. This account seeks to tell the story of the club’s history, not only from a Rae Grant Bryant Roberts statistical perspective but also from an anecdotal view from past players, volunteers and Bill Taggart Roger Sands parents. The story of this club is rich and varied from the early days, when there were two Graham Owen Vic Cizeika Applecross clubs; the juniors (Under 16s and 18s) and the sub juniors (Under 12s and 14s) and whilst separate, worked closely together. It outlines the merging of the two clubs into one Don Lang and John Rowan Sue and Chris John club in 1967 and then with Mount Pleasant Junior Football Club in 1985. As a result, the Mount Don and Joan Williams Geoff and Paul Larsen Pleasant Junior Football Club is afforded special recognition given its place in the Applecross Norm, Doug, Michael and Cameron Stirling Neil Balme story. There were a number of jumper changes, each with its own significance. The club’s relationship with Gairloch and Shirley Strickland ovals is also explained and how this Les and Eleanor McCarrey Graham Cargeeg relationship has continued for nearly 50 years. Peter and Ian McCarrey Tracy Lewis-Price There have been many volunteers who have undertaken administration, coaching, team Graeme Hoad Kevin and Michele Hart managing and other roles and have donated their time unreservedly. Some have come from Gavin and Kim Maisey Trevor Dunn high positions in government, industry and sport. A number of volunteers are referenced in the George, Elizabeth and Richard Mavros Tony and Steve Clarke book and there are many more who have not been but are equally acknowledged for their contribution on the club’s journey. Likewise, there have been countless sponsors over the Brian McCullough and Kevin Owens Max and Peter Van Helden decades with too many to mention but all are acknowledged and thanked. Without the Jim and Marilyn Neates John Sharpe volunteers and sponsors, the club would not have survived. Nick and Mark Neates Paul Ruiz The club is held in high esteem for its integrity and a commitment to its duty to develop young Alec and Joan Raphael Paul Moss people, through the code of Australian Rules Football, into good citizens by teaching the Murray and Stuart Edgar John Hender values of sportsmanship, competitive but fair play and working together as a team. It has been at the forefront of innovation, such as the introduction of the code of conduct for players and Brad Millane Brad Brown parents, the umpire red and yellow card system, online registration and support of female Ross and Neil Ashby and Roley Edmeades Paul O’Connell players. The club has won 26 premierships from 48 grand final appearances. Terry Howells Peter King As the story is vast, the book is broken into three areas. First is a narrative of its history loosely Peter and Lee Wylie and Craig Campbell Allan Drake-Brockman divided into eras. This is followed by greater descriptions of ongoing themes such as the John and Fay Wright Gavin and Glenn Miller grounds, social events and registration days. The latter parts of the book are dedicated to facts such as player and volunteer awards, Life Members and team photos. Also listed are all Harry Neesham Mike Tesser players, as far as can be determined, who have played for both clubs, which totals some 2,200 Bruce Hurrell Rob Pascoe of which 39 have gone on to play WAFL, VFL and AFL. Glenn Stewart Jamie and Joe Merillo There are many missing stories from players, parents and volunteers which would fill volumes Peter Lawrence George Christie and therefore it is a superficial record at best. The book is a pictorial account of the club with words complementing the pages. In this respect, it tries to capture the essence of the club Brad Ethell and Tammie Prigmore Mal McGowan from a human perspective as any junior sporting club, including the Applecross Junior Football Club, is the sum of the people - players, volunteers and parents. The author acknowledges those who contributed to the book through interviews and/or providing documents and photos. Many others not listed helped in some way. The Applecross Junior Football Club’s 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 committees are also acknowledged for their support for this project. Particular Special Thanks thanks to Maureen Gathercole - historian at the East Fremantle Football Club - for providing player statistics, photos and annual reports, which proved invaluable. Also to Les McCarrey, Kathy Williams, Lisa Special thanks to my wife Helen and sons David and Michael for Rich, Neale Billington and Wendy Macdougall for additional editing assistance, Dominic McKenna for legal their support and patience whilst researching and writing this book. advice and Tuan Ngo for data collection. iii | The History of the Applecross Junior Football Club The History of the Applecross Junior Football Club | iv It is difficult to determine the origins of the first club colours and the design of the jumper. It has been The 1950s and 1960s: The Early Years suggested that the club adopted the Coburg Football Club colours as Bill Bateman may have been involved with Coburg Football Club but this cannot be confirmed.