Mal Atwell Explained

Mal Atwell
Fullname:Malcolm Walter Atwell
Birth Date:5 March 1937
Birth Place:Perth, Western Australia
Statsend:1969
Coachstatsend:1973
Repstatsend:1968
Years1:1958–1965
Club1:East Perth
Games Goals1:162 (14)
Years2:1966–1969
Club2:Perth
Games Goals2:76 (31)
Sooyears1:1960–1968
Sooteam1:Western Australia
Soogames Goals1:17 (0)
Coachyears1:1966–1971
Coachclub1:Perth
Coachgames Wins1:137 (94–43–1)
Coachyears2:1968–1969
Coachclub2:Western Australia
Coachgames Wins2:5 (1–4–0)
Coachyears3:1972–1973
Coachclub3:South Fremantle
Coachgames Wins3:42 (16–26–0)

Malcolm Walter Atwell (born 5 March 1937) is a former Australian rules football player and coach. He played for East Perth and Perth in the West Australian National Football League (WANFL).

Playing career

Atwell was a tough, hard hitting footballer and spent most of his time as either a defender or in the ruck.

He started his career in 1958 at East Perth and played in their premiership team that season as well as the next. After 162 games with East Perth, he transferred to Perth where he played 76 games.[1] [2]

After making his interstate debut in 1960, Atwell represented his state in both the 1961 Brisbane Carnival and 1966 Hobart Carnivals. In all he made 17 interstate appearances and coached his state at the 1969 Adelaide Carnival.

Coaching career

He had a highly successful stint as Perth coach and was later named as the coach of Perth's official Team of the Century.

From 1966 to 1969 he was captain-coach of Perth and led them to premierships in 1966, 1967 and 1968. He remained coach for the 1970 and 1971 seasons but retired as a player.

The following year he joined South Fremantle as non-playing coach and spent two seasons in the role.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WEST AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Playing Record of all Members @ March 2012 . West Australian Football Commission . March 2012 . 25 July 2012. 1.
  2. Web site: Every League Premiership Player in Page Finals System Era - 1931 - 2009 . West Australian Football Commission. 24 July 2012. 1.