I Remember When with Milton Rendell

I remember when playing footy, this time of year was an exciting one with the finals beginning late August and early September for both junior clubs and our local league team Swan Districts.

The power clubs like Cloverdale, Redcliffe and Bassendean were always in the mix but we had some pretty good local teams that developed over the years such as Swan View which is still very successful today.

The then De La Salle had some pretty powerful teams in the late 70s as did Midland and the clashes with Midvale were always a good one. I played juniors for Guildford though we didn’t make the finals as much as we would have liked.

Our most famous footballer was Simon Beasley who went on to play for Swans and then Footscray in the then VFL.

He won the Coleman Medal in 1985 with 93 goals for the home and away season and topped the one hundred mark during the finals.

A few of the teams have disappeared sadly but new ones have started and Aussie rules is still a very popular sport throughout the area. On the weekend, I went to watch our mighty Swan Districts take on our old foe West Perth at Bassendean.

It was a close game with Swans scoring early to lead and when it seemed we were going to hand victory to West Perth as it came up to the last ten minutes, Swans changed gears and won by 15 points.

I was in the grandstand, up in the old Macca stand as we call it, cheering them on and listening to the vocal supporters.

I sit up in the back row with a few old mates and sometimes I wonder why I do it as they are pretty loud and proud Swan Districts supporters.

Peter Di Marco who I grew up with, his brother in law Gordon Rogers, Shane Burke and Mario Paghini - these guys go to all the games and have done for years.

Gordon and Shane are very passionate, so passionate that everyone can hear them and boy they love the umpires.

Well let’s say they have interesting ways of describing them at times but sometimes I wonder what game they are watching because I certainly don’t see the things they see, but hey it all adds fun to the day.

This time of year is a great one for clubs and supporters and the thousands of volunteers who work behind the scenes and help create the culture and ensure the survival of their clubs.

Special mention this week, good luck to the Chidlow Cougars in their Grand Final.

Michelle from our settlement team’s partner Tim is playing and we wish them all the best.

Hopefully we see Swans beat South Fremantle this week.

Thanks again to everyone on their feedback and sharing their stories with us as well.

Image: www.waflgoldenera.blogspot.com.au