East Fremantle Football Club

History

The increasing professionalism of teams in the Goldfields Football League attracted players away from Perth, which saw the Imperials Football Club collapse in 1897. Tom Wilson and David 'Dolly' Christy from the Imperials, along with businessman Sam Thomson, were instrumental in the foundation of the East Fremantle Football Club and its admission into the West Australian Football Association. The club adopted the Imperials' blue and white colours and many Imperials players would become part of the East Fremantle team in 1898. Other sources claim that the origin of the club's colours were from the North Melbourne Football Club at the suggestion of the club's first captain Tom Wilson had played for North in the Victorian Football Association. Wilson as captain and Christy as vice captain would play in East Fremantle's first game at the WACA on 11 May 1898.

Tragedy would strike the club in just its sixth year, with the death of prominent player James Gullan from accidental poisoning the day after their game against South Fremantle. During Gullan's time at East Fremantle he became regarded as one of the best players to ever play the game.

East Fremantle became known affectionately as 'Old East' or 'Old Easts' after the admission of East Perth to the competition in 1906. The nickname continued to be used until 1983, when the nickname of 'the Sharks' was adopted.

East Fremantle has a fierce rivalry with its Port cousin, South Fremantle, and the Foundation Day Derby between the two sides is a much anticipated highlight of the local football calendar. East Fremantle's success has thus far eclipsed that of South Fremantle, who () have won 14 WAFL premierships.

Up until 1987, Western Australia was immersed in WAFL culture and East Fremantle enjoyed a strong following. In 1987, a Perth-based club – the West Coast Eagles – joined an expanded Victorian Football League. West Coast's initial squad of 32 players included six East Fremantle players and they were coached by former East Fremantle premiership player and coach, Ron Alexander. Interest in the semi-national competition saw attendances at WAFL games start to fall, with severe consequences for the club's support base and finances. By the middle 2000s, East Fremantle was in severe trouble on and off the field, winning only nineteen of eighty matches between 2003 and 2006 and suffering severe financial difficulties, though since then the club substantially recovered. The club endured a 25-year premiership drought before winning a thirtieth premiership in 2023. The Sharks once pulled on average 10,000 people to a home game. Now 1,500 people to a home game is considered a strong attendance.

East Fremantle was a foundation member of the WAFL Women's competition in 2019. They were the inaugural premiers of the competition, defeating Swan Districts in the grand final.

Team of the Century

In 1997 the East Fremantle Football Club named its Team of the Century, to coincide with the club centenary celebrations. The team includes many names that have become synonymous with East Fremantle.

Fremantle Team of Legends

In 2007 the East Fremantle and South Fremantle football clubs came together to select the Fremantle Team of Legends. The Team consisted of players from East Fremantle and South Fremantle that had played at least 100 WAFL games for either club.

Club song

The East Fremantle team song is sung to the tune of "Notre Dame Victory March", which was adapted when the club changed its nickname from Old Easts to the Sharks in 1983.

:Cheer, Cheer the Blue and the White :Honour the Sharks by day and by night :Lift that loyal banner high :Shake down the thunder from the sky :Whether the odds be great or be small :We will go in and win over all :While our players keep on fighting :Onwards to victory!

Historical statistics

Club honours

Club Records

Highest Score: Round 17, 1944 – 33.23 (221) vs. South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval

Lowest Score: Round 13, 1898 – 1.2 (8) vs. West Perth at The WACA

Greatest Winning Margin: Round 17, 1944 – 201 points vs. South Fremantle at Fremantle Oval

Greatest Losing Margin: Round 10, 1981 – 178 points vs. West Perth at Leederville Oval

Most games: Brian Peake 304 (1972–1981 & 1985–1989)

Most goals: George Doig 1,111

Record Home Attendance: Round 3, 1979 – 21,317 vs. South Fremantle

Record Finals Attendance: 1979 Grand Final – 52,781 vs. South Fremantle at Subiaco Oval

Most consecutive victories: 35, between 28 July 1945 (Round 13) and 17 May 1947 (Round 3), including the 1945 and 1946 premierships

Most consecutive losses: 13, once between 18 May 1968 (Round 7) and 17 August 1968 (Round 19) and again between 11 April 1970 (Round 2) and 11 July 1970 (Round 14)

Players

There continue to be players from East Fremantle who move onto AFL/VFL, and AFLW playing careers, see List of East Fremantle footballers who have played in the VFL/AFL.

Individual honours

Sandover Medal: (13 total) – Lin Richards (1931), Jim Conway (1950), Jack Clarke (1957), Ray Sorrell (1961, 1963), David Hollins (1971), Graham Melrose (1974), Brian Peake (1977), Murray Wrensted (1985), Craig Treleven (1995), Adrian Bromage (1998), Rory O'Brien (2013), Blaine Boekhorst (2022)

Simpson Medal (in Grand Final): (11 total) – Alan Ebbs (1945), Frank Conway (1957), Ray Sorrell (1962), Norm Rogers (1964), Dave Imrie (1965), Gary Gibellini (1974), Kevin Taylor (1979), Clinton Browning (1992), Mark Amaranti (1994), Adrian Bromage (1998), Milan Murdock (2023)

Simpson Medal (in State Game): (7 total) – Ray Sorrell (1962), Kevin Taylor (1982), Paul Harding (1991), Craig Treleven (1995), Rod Tregenza (1999), Milan Murdock (2024, 2025)

Bernie Naylor Medal: (20 total) – Ernest Kelly (1904, 38 goals), Henry Sharpe (1905, 50 goals), Henry Sharpe (1907, 48 goals), Charles Doig (1908, 26 goals), Charles Doig (1909, 38 goals), Arthur Rawlinson (1917, 46 goals), Joseph Lawn (1919, 55 goals), Dinney Coffey (1923, 36 goals), George Doig (1933, 106 goals), George Doig (1934, 152 goals), George Doig (1935, 113 goals), George Doig (1936, 109 goals), George Doig (1937, 144 goals), George Doig (1941, 141 goals), George Prince (1949, 82 goals), Bob Johnson (1966, 92 goals), Kevin Taylor (1979, 102 goals), Neil Lester-Smith (1989, 90 goals), Rod Tregenza (1999, 86 goals), Rod Tregenza (2000, 86 goals)

Prendergast Medal: (10 total) – Bill Taggart (1954), Joe Angel (1977), Kevin Taylor (1978), Jon Stagg (1994), Leigh Willison (2002), Morgan Cooper (2007), Conor Davidson (2008), James Murray (2010), Timothy Viney (2011), Benjamin Harding (2017)

Jack Clarke Medal: (7 total) – Mark Amaranti (1985), Graham Ralph (1989), Matthew Cremin (2000), Andrew Green (2001), Jacob Green (2013), Joshua Browne (2021), Declan Pauline (2024)

Chesson Medallists: (2 total) – Greg Brown (1972), Doug Winning (1973)

All-Australian team: Jack Clarke (1953, 1956, 1958, 1961), Alan Preen (1958), Norm Rogers (1958), Ray Sorrell (1958, 1961), Brian Peake (1979 (c), 1980, 1986 (c)), Tony Buhagiar (1979), Kevin Taylor (1983), Peter Wilson (1986)

Tassie Medal: Brian Peake (1979)

2022 squad

Premiership teams

Australian Football Hall of Fame

The Australian Football Hall of Fame was established in 1996.

Ten former East Fremantle players have been inducted: Simon Black (2020), David Christy (1996), Jack Clarke (1999), George Doig (2002), Bob Johnson (2012), Steve Marsh (2006), Brian Peake (2013), Jack Sheedy (2001), Ray Sorrell (2016) and William "Nipper" Truscott (1996). East Fremantle's 1974 premiership coach, John Todd, was inducted in 2003.

West Australian Football Hall of Fame

The West Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 and the first induction took place in 2004.

Twenty-three former East Fremantle players and coaches have been inducted: Ron Alexander (2004), Simon Black (2017), David Christy (2004), Jack Clarke (2004), Charles Doig (2017), George Doig (2004), Jerry Dolan (2004), Doug Green (2006), Paul Hasleby (2015), Percy Johnson (2010), Chris Mainwaring (2005), Steve Malaxos (2005), Steve Marsh (2004), Gerard Neesham (2005), Brian Peake (2004), Con Regan (2015), Norm Rogers (2004), Jack Sheedy (2004), Ray Sorrell (2004), John Todd (2004), William "Nipper" Truscott (2004) and Shane Woewodin (2022). Charles Sweetman (2009)

Five have been elevated to Legend status: George Doig (2004), Steve Marsh (2005), Jack Sheedy (2005), John Todd (2004) and William "Nipper" Truscott (2004).

EFFC Hall of Fame

On Saturday 2 June 2012, 52 individuals were inducted into the inaugural East Fremantle Football Club Hall of Fame. Nine inductees were also given 'Legend' status. Only players, officials and volunteers that served the club between 1898 and 1986 were deemed worthy to be inducted.

Roll of honour

At the outbreak of World War I many players from Western Australia enlisted in the armed services, East Fremantle Football Club players killed in action include:

• Corporal Percy Sutherland MOFFLIN (10th Light Horse), KIA, Gallipoli, 16 June 1915
• Private Roy James 'Nugget' WRIGHTSON (11th Battn), KIA, Armentières, 30 May 1916
• Private John Alexander Robertson 'Hooky' DOIG (44th Battn), KIA, Messines, 31 July 1917
• Gunner John 'Jack' McCARTHY (36th Heavy Artillery), KIA, Ypres, 4 October 1917
• Private Arthur Henry 'Cock' WRIGHTSON (48th Battn), KIA, Passchendaele, 12 October 1917

Board and Staff

• President: Ennio Tavani
• CEO: Adrian Bromage
• General Manager of Football Operations: Shane Woewodin

References and notes

References

1. {{usurped
2. (24 September 2023). "East Fremantle break premiership drought with grand final victory over Peel Thunder {{!}} WAFL".
3. "Australian Football – imperials Football Club – Stats".
4. (11 July 1953). "Origin Of Port Club Colours". [[The West Australian]].
5. (1998). "East Fremantle Football Club : celebrating 100 years of tradition : a trilogy of history". Bill Benbow & Associates.
6. (21 June 1904). "DEATH OF A PROMINENT FOOTBALLER.". [[Hamilton Spectator]].
7. (16 July 1903). "James Gullan.". [[The Spectator]].
8. Lewis, Ross; 'Sharks Rule Dunbar Safe: disappointed East Fremantle Fans Smell Coach's Blood But Not Club Bosses'; ''The Game'', p. 15, from ''The West Australian'', 24 April 2006
9. (14 September 2019). "East Fremantle claim Optus WAFLW crown". WA Football.
10. (11 November 2024). "EFFC Appoints New CEO and Welcomes New General Manager of Football Operations". East Fremantle Football Club.
11. (11 November 2024). "Woewodin returns to Sharks, Bromage appointed full-time CEO". The West Australian.