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 (WAFL) and WAFL Women's (WAFLW). It was formed in 1900 and plays its home games at Fremantle Oval.

South Fremantle
Names
Full name	South Fremantle Football Club
Nickname(s)	Bulldogs, Souths
2019 WAFL season
After finals	2nd
Home-and-away season	2nd
Leading goalkicker	Mason Shaw
Club details
Founded	1900 (1900)
Colours	White,      Dark red
Competition	West Australian Football League
President	Peter Christie
CEO	Cameron Britt
Coach	Todd Curley (2015–)
Captain(s)	Dylan Main
Premierships	List 13 (1916, 1917, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1970, 1980, 1997, 2005, 2009)
Ground(s)	Fremantle Oval (capacity: 18,000)
Uniforms
Home
Other information
Official website	southfremantlefc.com.au

History

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. The club completed a rare double in 2009, claiming both the league and reserves premierships. This was the first time the club had taken the Premiership double since 1954.

South Fremantle have claimed 13 senior men's premierships, the last of which was in 2009. In 2020 the club received a license to field a team in the WAFL Women's league.[9]

Fremantle Derby

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

Club guernsey & colours

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

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.[10]

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.[10]

Souths average attendance at home and away fixtures is 3000, which is amongst the highest for the WAFL.[10]

Club song

"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

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

Club honours

• WAFL Premierships: (13 total) 1916, 1917, 1947, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1970, 1980, 1997, 2005, 2009
• WAFL Runners-up: (17 total) 1914, 1927, 1929, 1930, 1940, 1945, 1951, 1956, 1975, 1979, 1981, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2001, 2006, 2019
• Reserves Premierships:[11] (12 total) 1936, 1952, 1953, 1954, 1985, 1986, 1991, 1992, 2004, 2009, 2013, 2015
• Colts (U-19) Premierships:[12] (9 total) 1970, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 2002, 2003, 2011, 2012
• Rodriguez Shield: (6 total) 1983, 1984, 1992, 2001, 2004, 2009, 2016

Individual honours

• Sandover medallists: (11 total) 1928: Jack Rocchi, 1937: Frank Jenkins, 1947: Clive Lewington, 1952: Steve Marsh, 1955: John Todd, 1980: Stephen Michael, 1981: Stephen Michael, 1986: Mark Bairstow, 1989: Craig Edwards, 2005: Toby McGrath, 2017: Haiden Schloithe
• Tassie Medallists: (3 total) 1983: Stephen Michael, 1984 & 1986: Brad Hardie
• All Australians: (6 total) 1953: Steve Marsh, 1956: John Gerovich & Cliff Hillier, 1961: John Todd, 1972: Brian Ciccotosto, 1983: Stephen Michael 1983
• Bernie Naylor Medallists: (21 total) Harvey (Duff) Kelly (50) 1905; George (Snowy) Thomas (31) 1910; Bonny Campbell (47) 1922; Sol Lawn (75) 1928 & (96) 1929; Bernie Naylor (131) 1946, (108) 1947, 91 (1948), (147) 1952, (167) 1953, (133) 1954; John Gerovich (74) 1956, (101) 1960 & (74) 1961; Ray Bauskis (108) 1977 & (82) 1978; Craig Edwards (54) 1992; Jon Dorotich (88) 1996 & (114) 1997; Zane Parsons (65) 2002; Ben Saunders (66) 2012 & (59) 2014 & (52) 2016

Records

• 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[13]
• 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

See also: List of South Fremantle Football Club coaches

Australian Football Hall of Fame

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.[14] John Todd was inducted in the coaches category in 2003.[15]

West Australian Football Hall of Fame

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, Todd and Michael awarded legends status.[16]

• Inaugural inductees (2004): Nashy Brentnall, Mal Brown, Bonny Campbell, John Gerovich, Brad Hardie, Ross Hutchinson, Frank Jenkins, Clive Lewington, Steve Marsh, Stephen Michael, Bernie Naylor, Maurice Rioli, Ray Sorrell, John Todd, John Worsfold
• 2005 Inductee: Peter Sumich
• 2006 Inductees: Peter Matera, Charlie Tyson
• 2008 Inductees: Dave Ingraham, Glen Jakovich, George Grljusich
• 2009 Inductee: Nicky Winmar
• 2010 Inductees: Mark Bairstow, Frank Treasure
• 2012 Inductee: Barry White
• 2013 Inductees: Ray Richards, Peter Bell
• 2015 Inductees: Tom Grljusich, Paul Hasleby

South Fremantle Football Club Hall of Fame

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.[17]

Legends

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

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

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

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.[18] 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.[19]

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[20]

References and notes

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. "South Fremantle to enter 2020 Optus WAFLW competition". West Australian Football Commission. 29 June 2020.
10. wafl.com.au
11. from 1925
12. from 1957
13. lowest score was also recorded Round 2, 1904 against North Fremantle
14. "Australian Football Hall of Fame – Players".
15. "Australian Football Hall of Fame – Coaches".
16. "WA Football Hall of Fame Legends".
17. "Hall Of Fame".
18. Wilson, Ray (3 July 2009). "South Fremantle Bulldogs announce Aboriginal team of century".
19. Moncrieff, Darren (19 June 2009). "South Fremantle to unveil Bulldogs Team of the Century".
20. Moncrieff, Darren (3 July 2009). "Bulldogs reveal Indigenous Team of the Century".

External links

• Bulldogs – Official club site
• Devaney, John. "South Fremantle History".
• West Australian Football League – Official WAFL site