West London Wildcats

The West London Wildcats is an Australian rules football and netball club based in London, England. The club fields teams in each of the three men's AFL London divisions – Premiership, Conference and Social and recently added a second women's team in 2018 competing in both of the AFL London women's divisions; Premiership and Conference. The reserves team is known as the Shepherds Bush Raiders and wear a green and gold guernsey while the Social team is known as the Ealing Emus and wear a black, red and yellow guernsey. The Wildcats are regarded as the most successful Australian rule football club in Europe and outside of Australia tallying 35 premierships in its club's history.

West London Wildcats Australian Rules Football & Netball Club
Names
Full nameWest London Wildcats Australian Rules Football & Netball Club
Nickname(s)Wildcats, Cats, Catas
2018 season
Home-and-away season2nd
Leading goalkickerZak Bozanich
Club details
Founded1990
Colours     Navy and      White
CompetitionAFL London Premiership
PresidentDaniel Clifford
CoachAndrew Walsgott & James Darke
Captain(s)Tyson Mihocek
Premierships35
AFL Europe
Champions League
  • 4 (2015–2018)
AFL London
Men's Premiership
  • 11 (2000, 2004–09, 2011,2013–14, 2016)
Men's Conference
  • 16 (2001–08, 2010–2015, 2017–2018)
Women's Conference
  • 1 (2017)
Men's Social
  • 3 (2008, 2010, 2014)
Ground(s)Dukes Meadow, Dan Mason Dr, London, W4 2SH
Other information
Official website

History

The West London Wildcats were formed in 1990 as a foundation club of the British Australian Rules Football League, now known as the AFL London division of AFL Britain. They have played in a number of BARFL grand finals, finally winning their first premiership in 2000 against arch-rivals, the Wandsworth Demons, the team captained at the time by club stalwart, Chris Schleter. They have since followed this up with premierships in 2004, 2005 and 2006 all against BARFL heavy-weights the Wimbledon Hawks. 2004 saw fullback Rowan Bilkey captain the club. Chris Schleter again captained the premiers in 2005 while in 2006 Ruckman and Barclay Dixon lead his team to the BARFL premiership. The Wildcats stand as the only team to win the BARFL Premiership on three consecutive occasions. In 2004 the team achieved another first in BARFL history by claiming the BARFL 'Grand Slam', winning the Anzac Cup preseason tournament, the Brit Cup and both the Conference and Premier Division Premierships, a feat they repeated in season 2006.

The Wildcats also field a second team, the Shepherds Bush Raiders, in the AFL London Conference competition, and a third side, the Ealing Emus in the AFL London Social division. The Shepherds Bush Raiders have won all but 2 of the 18 Conference premierships since the competition's inception in 2001. The Raiders last reigning Premiership in the Conference division was in 2018.

The West London Wildcats celebrated 25 years of existence in 2014. Capping off a fine year by winning the premiership in all 3 grades and securing a berth in the inaugural Champions League tournament held In Amsterdam. They went on to win this title in 2015 and have followed up with victories in 2016, 2017 & 2018. They will return to defend their title in April 2019

In season 2017, the Wildcats had their inaugural women's AFL team playing in the AFL London Conference Women's division, winning the premiership against the Wandsworth Demons. Due to an influx of interest from women wanting to play the great game, in 2018, the club expanded its women's team to two teams and now competes in the Premier and Conference division.

In addition to Australian Rules Football, the Wildkittens netball sides play in a number of competitions across London.

Former Brisbane Bears player Rudi Frigo, recruited to the club by Justin "Dogga" Shannon, is probably the Wildcats best known player.

Honour Board
YearPositionPresidentCoachCaptainTreasurer
19903rdGreg SportonDave SteadmanPeter Murphy & Dave McGainIan Mead
19914thMichael LopesDave McGregorIan RakichDavid Meaney
19922ndMichael Lopes & Barny AyrisMark ReidMichael LopesBarny Ayris & Ewen Hill
19935thRoss GregoryMark ReidDaryn JamiesonEwen Hill
19942ndRoss GregoryMark ReidGreg WylieEwen Hill
19952ndEwen HillGraeme WatsonGreg Weston-ArnoldRoss Gregory
19962ndEwen HillPaul SmithPaul GeddisTomas O'Mongain
19973rdEwen HillDarren IsaacsPaul GeddisRoss gregory
19985thDarren IsaacsDavid McAdamDenis Radetic & Derek ShawDerek Shaw
19992ndNeil TalbotRussell WarburtonShane McDonaldDerek Shaw
20001stNeil TalbotMichael BillingChris SchleterDerek Shaw
20013rdPaul TollMichael BillingChris SchleterDerek Shaw
20022ndJustin ShannonLachy Boyd & Cameron AubreyGreg AtkinsonDerek Shaw
20032ndJustin ShannonRoss Giardina & Chris SchleterChris SchleterDerek Shaw
20041stJonathon GrapsasRoss Giardina & Chris SchleterRowan BilkeyDerek Shaw
20051stMatt GlynnRoss GiardinaChris SchleterMatt Boyd & Derek Shaw
20061stMatt GlynnDamien Stewart & Ryan ButlerBarclay DixonDonna Glynn & Derek Shaw
20071stMatt GlynnRoss Giardina & Chris SchleterSam Heffernan & Damien StewartDonna Glynn & Derek Shaw
20081stMatt GlynnXavier McKinnonMatt ChiltonDonna Glynn
20091stPete RomanisJustin MainDan NankivellAnna Rushall
20103rdBen Bond and Troy CunninghamDan NankivellNathan CostleyTroy Cunningham
20111stBen BondNathan Costley & Dan PrigmoreSteven PuharMatt Ryan
20124thLuke FenneyNathan Costley & Dan PrigmoreAdam BroadbentCiaran Merrigan
20131stLuke FenneyNathan Costley & Dan PrigmoreBrad WedgwoodCiaran Merrigan
20141stBen O'Brien & Craig SimpsonNathan Costley & Dan PrigmoreMatty ShannonCiaran Merrigan
2015 2nd Ben O'Brien & Craig Simpson Nathan Costley & Keith Della-Vedova Brad Wedgwood Ciaran Merrigan
2016 1st Ben O'Brien & Craig Simpson Nathan Costley & Keith Della-Vedova Jared Risol Scott Downsborough
2017 3rd Chad Sellenger & Craig Simpson Keith Della-Vedova & Jared Risol Andy Challis Scott Downsborough
2018 2nd Chad Sellenger Keith Della-Vedova Tyson Mihocek Daniel French
2019 Daniel Clifford Andrew Walsgott & James Darke TBA Daniel French

Champions League

2018 Grand Final West London Wildcats 5.4.34 defeated Amsterdam Devils 2.2.14

2017 Grand Final West London Wildcats 5.7.37 defeated Amsterdam Devils 2.2.14

2016 Grand Final West London Wildcats 5.13.43 defeated Manchester Mosquitos 2.1.13

2015 Grand Final West London Wildcats 8.6.54 defeated Rhineland Lions 1.1.7

Finals

2018 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 9.6.60 defeated by Wandsworth Demons 8.13.61

Goals: TBC

Best: Cam Linford, Hugh Sandilands, David Rattenbury, Simon Thomas, Rhett Kerr, Robbie Gore

2018 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 7.9.51 defeated Wandsworth Demons 4.5.29

Goals: TBC

Best: Scott Michell, Matthew Ness, Nathan Costley, Kade Rowbotheram, Tom Donnelly, Josh Morrison, Taylor Mckenzie

AFL London GF Best on Ground Award: Nathan Costley

2017 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 7.8.50 defeated Wandsworth Demons 3.5.23

2017 Grand Final Women's conference Division West London Wildcats 4.8.32 defeated Wandsworth Demons 0.1.1

2016 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 14.10.94 Defeated Wandsworth Demons 7.1.43

2015 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 8.8 (56) Defeated by North London Lions 8.9 (57)[1]

Goals: TBC

Best: TBC

2014 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 14.13 (97) Defeated Wandsworth Demons 8.10 (58)

Goals: David Abernethy 5, Matt Abraham 2, Todd Pfeiffer 2, Brad Collins, Keith Della-Vedova, James Ford, Clint Johnson, Brad Wedgwood

Best: Brad Wedgwood, David Abernethy, Sam Wood, Billy Oswell, Matt Shannon

AFL London GF Best on Ground Award: Brad Wedgwood

2014 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 14.9 (93) Defeated Clapham Demons 2.4 (16)

Goals: David Emerson 4, Kevin Upton 3, Evan Scicluna 2, Nathan Costley 2, Tom Gillard, Nick Graham-Bowman, Dave Little

Best: Ben McCrorey, David Emerson, Nathan Costley, Dan Jeffreys, Adrian Brown, Evan Scicluna

AFL London GF Best on Ground Award: Nathan Costley

2014 Grand Social Premiership Division Ealing Emus 4.7 (31) Defeated South London Demons 4.6 (30)

Goals: Andrew Mann 2, Brad Tinker, Froggy Triplett

Best: Sean Fenney, Scott Fedrici, Brad Tinker, Markus Rees, Sam Furber

2013 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 10.10 (70) Defeated North London Lions 9.6 (60)

2013 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 9.5 (59) Defeated Regents Park Lions 5.12 (42)

2012 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 11.11 (77) Defeated Regents Park Lions 12.3 (75)

2011 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 13.1(89) Defeated Wandsworth Demons 8.9 (57)

2011 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 17.4 (106) Defeated Clapham Demons 9.13 (67)

2010 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 12.9 (81) def Clapham Demons 7.3 (45)

2010 Grand Social Premiership Division Ealing Emus 7.1 (43) def South London Demons 2.5 (17)

2009 Grand Final Premiership Division

2009 Grand Final Conference Division

2009 Grand Social Premiership Division

2008 Grand Final Premiership Division West London Wildcats 13.8 (86) defeated Putney Magpies 4.3 (27)

Best: Justin 'Maca' McCallion, Ross 'Rosco' Dillon, Leigh 'Burki' Burke, Warrick 'Bloodnut' Fenner, Damien 'Sticky' Lyon, Eoin O'Connor, Xavier 'XMan' McKinnon, Barry 'Baz' Malone

Goals: Leigh Burke, Eoin O'Connor 3, Justin McCallion 2, Sam Miles 1 (others TBC)

Norm Smith Medal: Justin 'Maca' McCallion

2008 Grand Final Conference Division Shepherds Bush Raiders 7.12 (54) defeated Clapham Demons 6.11 (47)

Best: Kade 'Giggz' Nichols, Matty Barr, Pete O'Connel, Marcus 'Willo' Wilson, Shane 'Abbo' Albon, Paul 'Chopper' Donahoo

Goals: Marcus 'Willo' Wilson 3, Kade Nichols 3, Paul Donahoo 1

2008 Grand Final Social Division Ealing Emus 18.17 (125) defeated Nottingham Scorpions 1.5 (11)

Best: Al Carlson, Lucas 'Doof' Cullen, Darryl 'Daz' Disisto, Pete Kasby, Matt Neville, Ryan 'Rhino' Lapish, John Houston, Simon 'Simmo' Berry

Goals: Al Carlson 4, Wes White 3, Casey Ratcliffe, Ryan 'Rhino' Lapish 2, Darryl 'Daz' Disisto, Lucas 'Doof' Cullen, Jeremy 'Jez' Lanberg, Paul 'Cutts' Cutler 1 (others TBC)

Norm Smith Medal: Doof

International Tour Matches

The Wildcats have played a number of pre-season tour matches across Europe.

  • 2015 -2018 AFL Europe Champions League Premiers
  • 2011 West London d Copenhagen Barracudas
  • 2010 West London d Paris Cockerels
  • 5 April 2008 West London 60 d Copenhagen Barracudas 25
  • April 2007 West London vs Croatia
  • 7 April 2006 West London vs Barcelona Stars
  • 9 April 2005 West London 163 d Stockholm Dynamite 51

Best & Fairest
YearWest London WildcatsShepards Bush RaidersEaling Emus
2017 Evan Johnson Matthew Abraham Matt Pike
2016 Andy Challis Luke Moore Carson Macartney
2015 Lloyd Williams Ben McCrorey Rhys Synoot
2014Todd Pfeiffer & Brad WedgwoodNick Graham-BowmanFroggy Triplett
2013Gavin BowlesBrad TinkerSteve Whibley
2012Adam BroadbentAl AdamsJulian Kasby
2011Adam BroadbentFergus AdamsonJoel Siwak
2010Dan PrigmoreMatty RyanBrett Rizio
2009Dan NankivellLuke FaullPatty Kearins
2008Matt ChiltonJono WatsonDavid Harrington

End of Season Football Trips
YearDestinationYearDestinationYearDestination
1990Amsterdam2000Corfu2010Corfu
1991Corfu2001Corfu2011Corfu
1992Faliraki2002Corfu2012Corfu
1993Corfu2003Corfu2013Corfu
1994Dubin2004Corfu2014Corfu
1995Corfu2005Corfu2015Corfu
1996Black Country, UK2006Corfu2016Corfu
1997Corfu2007Corfu2017Corfu
1998Corfu2008Corfu2018ios
1999Corfu2009Lagos2019

Photos
  • 2008 Shepherds Bush Raiders
  • 2008 West London Wildcats
  • 2008 Ealing Emus

See also

References
  1. "Triumph for Lions in one-point AFL London Grand Final thriller". Australian Times. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
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