The South Fremantle Football Club Hall of Fame was established in 2011 to recognise and enshrine individuals who have made an outstandingcontribution to the club's history.[1] In opening the club's Hall of Fame, then club president Hayden Raitt gave the following address:
South Fremantle’s illustrious football history is one littered with many outstanding events, feats of champion footballers, champion teams and selfless dedication by committed coaches, officials and administrators. All have kept our great club at the forefront of football in Western Australia for over a century.[1]
The first intake, held at a club dinner function on 21 July 2011,[2] focused on the contributions of players, coaches, officials and administrators across the first 80 years of the club's history. Subsequent intakes to the Hall of Fame have been held in 2015[3] and 2021.[4]
There are currently 88 members in the South Fremantle Hall of Fame. In this article, they are divided into three broad categories: Legends, Players and Officials.
| Name | Inducted | Career span | SFFC games (goals) | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1967–1978 | 212 (312) | Elevated to Legend status in 2021. A Bulldog through and through, 'Cicco' was a champion rover who served the club over many years as player, coach and administrator. His most notable on-field achievements include winning the Simpson Medal in South's drought-breaking 1970 premiership, earning All-Australian selection in 1972 and captaining the club from 1975 to 1977. As a coach, he guided the Colts team to premierships in 1984 and 1985 before an administrative stint that included the roles of Football Development officer, General Manager and CEO until 2012. | ||
| 2011 | 1937–1949 | 150 (102) | Elevated to Legend status in 2015. Regarded as a somewhat dour and unspectacular but effective footballer, 'Scranno' Jenkins was an essential cog in the Bulldogs' success in the immediate post-WW2 era. Burst onto the scene with the Sandover in his debut season (1937) and finished runner-up in 1938 to Haydn Bunton Sr., as well as winning the AW Walker Medal in his first three seasons. He served as captain for part of 1946 and played in both the 1947 and 1948 premierships. Represented Western Australia in interstate football nine times, winning the Simpson Medal in 1947 for his efforts against Victoria. | ||
| 2011 | 1939−1941, 1946–1951, 1953 | 182 (53) | Elevated to Legend status in 2015. One of the finest centremen of his era, Lewington's career was interrupted by service in World War 2. In the post-war period he established his reputation as one of the game's greats, enjoying special seasons in 1947, when he won his third AW Walker Medal, the Sandover Medal and was part of the premiership team, and in 1950 as premiership captain-coach and winner of the Simpson Medal as best on ground in the Grand final. Guided South to a further three flags as non-playing coach. | ||
| * | 2011 | 1941, 1946−1954 | 194 (1034) | Elevated to Legend status in 2015. Kicked six goals on debut, and after missing four years due to war service made up for lost time by kicking over 100 goals in a season five times, benefiting from the superb midfield led by Lewington and Marsh. Holds the WAFL record for most goals in a season (167) and most goals in a match (23), 12 of which were kicked in one quarter. Unlike his high-flying successor Gerovich, Naylor relied on the fast lead and mark, and kicked using the torpedo punt with an unorthodox grip. A member of six premiership sides, the WAFL award for leading goalkicker at the end of the home-and-away rounds is named after him. | |
| 2011 | 1942−1957 | 254 | Premiership Captain; 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954 Premierships | ||
| * | 2011 | 1945–1956 | 226 (418) | How Marsh joined South is one of the great stories of WA football. Originally destined for rivals East Fremantle, Marsh was invited to the South change rooms at the time both clubs shared Fremantle Oval (the East change rooms were locked), and the rest is history. One of the greatest-ever rovers in WA football, Marsh played in six Bulldog premierships, won the Sandover in 1952 and the Simpson in 1953 as best on ground in the Grand final, and represented WA 19 times, captaining the state in 1954. Quick off the mark, elusive, courageous, an excellent reader of the play and a master of the drop kick and stab pass, he eventually crossed over to the Sharks in 1957 and captain-coached them to a long-awaited premiership that same year. | |
| 2011 | 1955−1966 | 132 | 1955 Sandover Medal, 1955, 58, 61 Fairest & Bests; 1997 premiership coach | ||
| 2011 | 1955–1969 | 221 | 11-time club leading goalkicker; 3-time WAFL leading goalkicker | ||
| * | 2011 | 1975–1985 | 243 | 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983 Fairest & Bests; 1980, 1981 Sandover Medals; 1983 Simpson Medal; 1980 premiership, 1983 Tassie Medal | |
| 2011 | 1952–1959, 1961 | 162 (27) | Elevated to Legend status in 2021. Blessed with pace, skill and poise, Parentich was a worthy successor to Clive Lewington in the centreman position for the Bulldogs, playing a key role in the 1952 premiership win in his debut season and also starring in the 1953 and 1954 triumphs. He was awarded the 1956 Simpson Medal as best on ground in the Grand final loss to East Perth. Equally adept on the wing or half-forward flank, Parentich won the AW Walker Medal in 1957 and also represented Western Australia eight times in interstate football. |
| Name | Inducted | Career span | SFFC games (goals) | Achievements | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1900–1909 | 100 | Club's first 100-game player; Secretary 1902; Treasurer 1902−1906 | |||
| 2011 | 1916–1929 | 167 | 1926 Fairest & best | |||
| 2011 | 1925–1932 | 123 | 7-time club leading goalkicker, 2-time WAFL leading goalkicker | |||
| 2011 | 1926−1929 | 63 | 1928 Sandover Medal; 1928 & 1929 Fairest & best | |||
| 2011 | 1927–1932 | 99 | Captain; 1932 Captain/Coach | |||
| 2011 | 1936–1945 | 140 | 1936 Fairest & best | |||
| 2011 | 1937–1951 | 204 | 1945 Fairest & best; 1947, 1948 & 1950 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1940–1951 | 135 | 1947 Simpson Medal; 1948 Fairest & Best; 1947, 1948 & 1950 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1942–1954 | 210 | 1947 Simpson Medal; 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952 & 1953 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1942−1957 | 129 | 1950, 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1945−1952 | 141 | 1947, 1950 & 1952 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1946−1953 | 140 | 1948 & 1952 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1948−1955, 1961 | 152 | 1954 Fairest & best; 1954 Simpson Medal; 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1948−1954 | 99 | 1949 Fairest & best; 1948, 1950 & 1953 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1949−1954 | 102 | 1952 Simpson Medal; 1950, 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1951−1961 | 220 | 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1951−1960 | 160 | 1959 Fairest & Best; 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1951−1958 | 147 | 1952 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1952−1961 | 162 | 1956 Simpson Medal; 1957 Fairest & best; 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1952−1961 | 160 | 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2011 | 1957−1969 | 255 | 1964 Fairest & best | |||
| 2011 | 1960–1964, 1968–1976 | 258 (126) | 1970 premiership; 1968 & 1972 Fairest & best; 1968 leading goalkicker | Although not allowed to play club football until he was 18, Grljusich proved to be a natural. He was already very strong and fit due to the physically demanding work in the family market garden business, and quickly developed the skill level required for League football, especially his high marking and handpassing. After three impressive seasons showing he could hold down key positions in attack and defence, Grljusich joined new SANFL club Central Districts and gave outstanding service, becoming one of a handful of players to represent WA and SA in interstate football. He returned to South in 1968 and tasted premiership success in 1970, and eventually retired, albeit reluctantly, at the end of 1976 as the club's games record holder. | ||
| 2011 | 1974–1982 | 169 | 1976 Fairest & best; 1980 premiership | |||
| * | 2011 | 1975–1981, 1988–1990 | 168 (133) | 1980 premiership; 1988−1989 captain; 1981 & 1983 Simpson Medal | One of indigenous football's great trailblazers, Rioli came to South from Melville Island to join older brother Sebastian, and quickly earned a reputation as one of the finest footballers of his era. Tough and skilled in equal measure, he won the Simpson Medal three times, twice for his Grand Final performances in 1980 and 1981, and once for WA in 1983. He then went to VFL powerhouse Richmond in 1982, winning the Jack Dyer Medal and the Norm Smith Medal that season. He returned to South in 1988 and was captain for two seasons. | |
| 2011 | 1978–1985 | 155 (318) | 1979−1982, 1985 Captain; 1980 premiership captain; 1980 Fairest and best | Originally from NWFU club Ulverstone in Tasmania, Carter first joined VFL powerhouse Richmond in 1973 as an 18-year-old and was a premiership player in only his fifth game, but after struggling to play regularly at senior level, he came to Souths and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most inspirational on-field leaders in the game. A talented rover, Carter combined skill and creativity (his kicking with either foot and reading of the game were superb), with toughness and tenacity to captain the Bulldogs in three consecutive Grand finals, and was among the club's best players in all of them. | ||
| * | 2011 | 1979–1984, 1993 | 140 (300) | 1980 premiership; 1984 captain; 1984 & 1993 leading goalkicker; 1984 & 1986 Tassie Medal; 1984 Simpson Medal | A chunky redhead who played in long sleeves to hide burns suffered in a horrific backyard accident when he was 15, Hardie would be a senior WAFL premiership player just two years later, kicking three goals in the 58-point win. Blessed with all the skills and ability to read play, Hardie excelled in interstate football, twice winning the Simpson Medal and also the Tassie Medal in 1986. He went to Footscray in the VFL and won the Brownlow Medal playing as an attacking back pocket, but after falling out with coach Mick Malthouse became part of the inaugural Brisbane Bears team, becoming the first player to reach 100 games. Returned to South for one final season in 1993 and kicked 52 goals before embarking on a media career. | |
| 2015 | 1910−1919 | 133 | 1916 & 1917 premierships; 1916 captain; 1929 & 1933 coach | |||
| 2015 | 1912−1919 | 115 | 1916–1919 captain ; 1916 & 1917 premiership captain | |||
| 2015 | 1918−1928 | 139 | 1926 & 1928 captain-coach | |||
| 2015 | 1924−1936 | 173 | 3-time Fairest and best; 1934−1935 captain-coach | |||
| 2015 | 1924−1937 | 178 | 1931 Fairest and best | |||
| 2015 | 1928−1939 | 183 | 1936−1937 captain | |||
| 2015 | 1936−1948 | 126 | 1947 premiership; Champion Team 1946−1976 | |||
| 2015 | 1945−1951 | 107 | 1947, 1948 & 1950 premierships; Vice-President 1968 | |||
| 2015 | 1946−1953 | 98 | 1947, 1948, 1952 & 1953 premierships; Colts Coach 1958−1959 | |||
| 2015 | 1947−1952 | 121 | 1947, 1948 & 1950 premierships | |||
| 2015 | 1947−1951 | 102 | 1947, 1948 & 1950 premierships | |||
| 2015 | 1948−1957 | 134 | 1950, 1952, 1953 & 1954 premierships | |||
| 2015 | 1950−1963 | 239 | 1953 & 1954 premierships; Vice-Captain 1959, Committee member 1972−1973 | |||
| 2015 | 1959−1967, 1972 | 168 | 1966 Fairest and best; 1974−1976 league coach | |||
| 2015 | 1961−1974 | 219 | 1970 premiership; 1968, 1973–1974 Captain ; 1973 Fairest and best | |||
| 2015 | 1969−1980 | 168 | 1970 & 1980 premierships; 1982 & 1983 colts premiership coach ; 1984 reserves coach ; 1985–86 league coach | |||
| 2015 | 1970–1976 | 105 (69) | 1987−1990 league coach; 1975 Simpson Medal | An outstanding schoolboy footballer, Magro made his senior WANFL debut at 15 and won the Simpson Medal in 1975 for his performance against Victoria. Made up for lack of pace and polish with fearsome competitiveness and all-out commitment. One of few who could hold their heads in the Bulldogs' Grand final thrashing that same year, he eventually went to VFL powerhouse Collingwood in 1977, where he became a cult figure and cemented his reputation as one of the game's hard men, famously shirtfronting Carlton captain-coach Alex Jesaulenko in 1979. Returned to South as coach in 1987. | ||
| 2015 | 1971−1981 | 200 | 1980 premiership; 1978 captain | |||
| 2015 | 1975−1984 | 195 | 1980 premiership; 1983−1984 vice-captain | |||
| 2015 | 1975−1981 | 102 | 1980 premiership | |||
| 2015 | 1977−1986 | 165 | 1980 premiership | |||
| 2015 | 1981−1997 | 151 | 1997 premiership co-captain; 2-time Bernie Naylor Medal; 3-time Leading Goalkicker; 1997 Simpson Medal | |||
| 2015 | 1982−1994 | 142 | 3-time Fairest and best; 1993−1994 captain | |||
| 2015 | 1984−1995 | 202 | 1991 Fairest and best; 1987, 1990–1991 captain; Director 2010−2013 | |||
| 2015 | 1984−1992 | 163 | 2-time Fairest and best; 2-time leading goalkicker; 1989 Sandover Medal | |||
| 2021 | 1989−2003 | 266 | 1997 premiership; 2000−2003 Captain; 1993 Simpson Medal; General Manager Football and Community 2020− | |||
| 2021 | 1994−2005 | 165 | 1998 & 1999 Fairest and best; 1997 premiership; 2004 captain | |||
| 2021 | 1992−2003 | 200 | 1997 premiership; CEO 2017−2019 | |||
| 2021 | 1998−2012 | 234 | 2004 & 2008 Fairest and best; 2005 & 2009 premiership; 2009 premiership captain; 2008-10 captain ; 2005 Sandover Medal; 2005 Simpson Medal | |||
| 2021 | 1990−1999 | 190 | 1996 Fairest and best; 1997 premiership | |||
| 2021 | 1986−1998 | 112 | 1997 premiership; 1998 co-captain; 1988 leading goalkicker | |||
| 2021 | 1987−1999 | 155 | 1997 premiership co-captain; 1995−1999 captain |
| Name | Playing career | Games for SFFC | Achievements with SFFC | Year inducted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club co-founder 1900 | 2011 | |||
| 1904−1908 | 43 | Committee 1910–1911; Head Trainer 1913; Coach 1913−1919 (1916, 17 Premiership coach); Secretary 1916−1919 | 2011 | |
| Administrator between 1916 and 1966 | 2011 | |||
| 1924−1931 | 114 | Administrator between 1947 and 1960 | 2011 | |
| 1925−1927 | 46 | Administrator between 1929 and 1971 | 2011 | |
| 1926−1933 | 88 | Administrator between 1938 and 1966 | 2011 | |
| Administrator between 1929 and 1969 | 2011 | |||
| Trainer 47 years; Head Trainer 27 years | 2011 | |||
| Administrator between 1955 and 2011 | 2011 | |||
| Club doctor for 33 years | 2011 | |||
| Secretary 1925–1928, 42; Treasurer for 28 years; League delegate; Life Member | 2015 | |||
| Trainer 1933–1942, 1958–1966; Head Trainer 1943–1950; Committee Member 1945−1945 | 2015 | |||
| Assistant Secretary 1936–1942, 1945–1950; Secretary 1943–1944; Committee Member 1950–1957; Vice-President 1959, 1962–1967; League delegate 1962−1967 | 2015 | |||
| Trainer 1948–50; Head Trainer 1951−1957 | 2015 | |||
| Club Doctor 1961−1981 | 2015 | |||
| Secretary/Manager 1962–1967; Donation Bonanza organiser 1990−1992 | 2015 | |||
| 1964 | 2 | Treasurer 1969–1971, 1977–1981; Director 1982–1985; Vice-President 1986−1991 | 2015 | |
| Club Chiropractor 1965−2011 | 2015 | |||
| Management Committee 1981; Director 1986–1991, 2009; Vice-President 1992–1995; President 1996−2008 | 2015 | |||
| Propertyman 1987−2011 | 2015 | |||
| source: South Fremantle Football Club 2016 Yearbook, page 19 |