Imagine trying to explain to current AFL (footy?) fans how in the day we used to seek out the ex-pat bars in Thailand, Singapore, Manila - when our ships pulled in so we could check the ladders of the WAFL and they used to have cut outs of the recent results and we would fight each other over being first to read them. Oh well, people tell me I have to move on. Lucinda’s finished, have got Calexico’s brilliant 2008 album ‘Carried to Dust’ cranking. Don’t suppose anyone reading this is a fan?
OH, and thanks for the wishes Cardy. I bloody well hate your footy club - but - I cheered for you guys long and loud over East Perth. I like Brett Raponi and I like Billy. And I have a cousin on your coaching staff.
I go to Navy Health Services reunions every three years - great fun - but as we get older the numbers drop off - just like WAFL fans.
Have a great trip.
I think every G7 club supported us in that GF B)
Now as I was saying it is hard to get info re WAFL History
Here is the 1974 side that played State footy I assume but I am buggered if I can recognise most of them a bit of help would be appreciated.
I do know it is Dexter Morgan back row 2nd from left 
Click on image for bigger pic
https://ozfooty.net/media/kunena/attachments/859/1974Team.jpg
Found the pic on Lost Wafl on FB but they dont give any details.
Great time in Australian Football the 70’s but as I said WAFL not really covered
Found a great article in my Googling and worth a read e.g part of
The 70s are a key period in the development of professional Australian Football in this country. They are the last decade before the VFL sent South Melbourne to Sydney. They were the first decade to truly open the gates to interstate recruitment on a large scale.
As the door opened to the 70s, the VFL constituted twelve clubs, the SANFL had ten clubs, and the WAFL had eight. The VFL opened VFL Park in 1970, the SANFL followed suit with Football Park in 1974.
The Western Australia Government had been developing Subiaco Oval since the early 20th century, but development really took off in 1969. The VFL had an attendance average of just over 21,000, the SANFL and WAFL just over 10,000 each.
It was the era when state league champions would play off for the champion of Australia title. Until the Championship ended in 1976, the 70s saw Victorian sides play every year against either WA and SA sides in the final of the championship.
Oddly enough, most championship finals would be played in Adelaide – including matches between Victorian and Western Australian sides in 1973, and two Victorian sides in 1976.
Read the rest at as it is well written
http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/02/a-look-at-state-football-in-the-70s/
Well I am certainly no expert and I’ll stand corrected.
But I reckon that might be Ross Smith in the uniform front and centre. Was he coach?
I also think I recognise:
Brian Peake
Pter Featherby
Fred Davenport
Stan Nowotney
Garry Sidebottom
Geroge Michalchyk
Oh yeah and Mike Fitzpatrick.
Who is that huge bloke is that Mal Brown?
Dave Hollins, third from the right bottom row.
Bruce Monteath, second player from the right middle row.
Thanks for the input. Recognize a few now.
Bottom row 2nd from Left thats not John Duckworth is it?
Can recognise Bob Shields,Dennis Blair in the back row..Ross Smith (coach) and Alan Quartermaine in the front row also
Peter Manning is on the back row far left. Graeme Maynard is the trainer to the far right middle row and the chap next to him was also from Swans with a surname beginning with F. Next to him is Maxie George…
Is that Cicco in the bottom right hand corner.
Graham Melrose next to Ross Smith. I think it’s Bill Valli next to Melrose.
Doug Green first player in the middle row.
John Hayes bottom left?
Go to Lost WAFL on Facebook mate and you see heaps of pics and stuff WAFL
The man mountain next between Fitzpatrick and Sidebottom is interesting. Didn’t Claremont have some giant playing for them around that time. Was it Jeff Murray or am I barking up the wrong tree.