REST IN PEACE - Wayne "Terror" Dayman (West Perth FC) (industrial accident) (10 June 1961 - 16 June 1997)

Wayne "Terror" Dayman (industrial accident)

10 June 1961 - 16 June 1997.

West Perth.

Wayne Dayman played 140 games for West Perth between 1981-91 and 1993-94 and kicked 17 goals.
Wayne "Terror" Dayman was one of those quiet, unobtrusive, but dependable back-pocket players that were the heart and soul of WAFL teams in the 1970s and 1980s. He also played further up the field on occasion. Whilst not in the same class as more famous back-pocket players of the era, such as Steve Curtis (East Perth and Port Adelaide Magpies), Dwayne Lamb (Subiaco and West Coast) or Geoff Miles (Collingwood and West Coast), Dayman was still certainly good enough to keep his place in the West Perth teams of the 1980s, teams which made finals appearances in 1982 and 1985. He is well-known for being able to read the packs well, was totally courageous, and had a surprisingly good leap for his height. He brings to mind Mick O'Brien who was a similar type of player at West Perth during the same era. Brian Atkinson's club history book It's a Grand Old Flag reports (pp. 232-233) that Dayman was killed in an industrial accident on a Forrestfield building site on 16 June 1997. Sadly a family picture is reproduced by Atkinson taken only four days prior to his death on 12 June 1997. He was survived by wife Melanie, sons Tim and Josh, and daughter Emily. 

Basso Oval: site of some great SD v WP games in the 1980s

By 1997 Dayman had been long forgotten in football circles outside the West Perth club and its diehard fans. By this same year the WAFL was a shell of what it had been only twelve years previously. For these two reasons Dayman's death past largely unnoticed. However, "Terror", as he was known around the club in the 1980s, died as he had always played his football - committed to the team and to the job he was assigned to do on the day. Perhaps the hardest battles Dayman fought in his league career were at Bassendean Oval and he died not all that far away from the ground in harsh enemy territory. Appropriately the West Perth club has inaugurated the "Wayne Dayman Courage Award" in his memory and it was won initially by Kim Rigoll [by Jack Frost].

REST IN PEACE - Maurice Rioli (SF), Stan "Pops" Heal (WP), Chris "Mainy" Mainwaring (EF), Gary Dhurrkay (EF), Jeremy Silcock (EP), Rhett Baynes (P) - includes readers' comments

The late great Maurice Rioli (South Fremantle)

Maurice Rioli (heart attack)

1 September 1957 - 25 December 2010.

South Fremantle and Richmond.

Maurice Rioli played 168 games for South Fremantle between 1975-81 and 1988-90.

He also played 118 games for Richmond between 1982-87 and kicked 80 goals.

Stan "Pops" Heal (natural causes)

"Pops" Heal & Mike Fitzpatrick, 3/6/10

30 July 1920 - 15 December 2010.

West Perth and Melbourne.

Stan "Pops" Heal played 180 games for West Perth between 1939-41 and 1946-53 and kicked 79 goals.

He also played eight games for Melbourne (VFL/AFL) in 1941 and kicked five goals.
He played on the wing in the 1941 VFL Melbourne premiership team and he also played in the West Perth WAFL premiership team one week later (Russell Holmesby and Jim Main, The Encyclopedia of AFL Footballers, Ninth edition, 2011, p. 368).
His sons Graham and Laurie also played for West Perth.

Chris Mainwaring (EF / WCE)

Chris "Mainy" Mainwaring (drug-related)

27 December 1965 - 1 October 2007.

East Fremantle and West Coast Eagles.

Chris Mainwaring played 61 games for East Fremantle (some sources say 60 games) and kicked 26 goals.

He played 201 games for West Coast Eagles between 1987-99 and kicked 84 goals.

In 1997 he was named in East Fremantle FC's Team of the Century.

His original senior club was Greenough Demons (Rovers).

Gary Dhurrkay (car accident)

4 March 1974 - 21 August 2005.

East Fremantle, Fremantle Dockers, and North Melbourne.

Gary Dhurrkay played 49 games for East Fremantle between 1994-2000 and kicked 64 goals (from WAFL Online). 

Gary Dhurrkay (EF / FD / NM)

He also played 51 games for Fremantle between 1995-98 and kicked 46 goals.

He also played 21 games for North Melbourne between 1999-2000 and kicked 20 goals.

He was a member of East Fremantle's 1994 (half-forward flank) and 1998 (wing) WAFL premiership teams.

Jeremy Silcock (holiday accident)

20 April 1970 - 1996.

East Perth and 1992 AFL North Melbourne draftee.

Rhett Baynes (suicide)

16 May 1964 - 30 August 1990.

Perth and Carlton.

Rhett Baynes played 77 games for Perth between 1980-84.

He played 13 games for Carlton between 1985-86 and kicked six goals.

Online comment from Darren (EDITOR of ABORIGINAL FOOTBALL, 29 June 2012): "This kinda sticks with me because as a youngster Rhett Baynes came to visit our footy club in our small country town in north-west WA and I was overawed that here was a WAFL player in our midst, I remember us kids sitting around just talking footy with him, then later I hear he's died" [by personal email].
Web address for ABORIGINAL FOOTBALL:
www.AboriginalFootball.sportingpulse.net

This page will be added to progressively. If you have death and basic playing career information for any other ex-WAFL player please contact me Kieran James and I will add it here. I will also add comments.

REST IN PEACE - George Grljusich, South Fremantle player & much loved football commentator on 6WF/6PR (15 January 1939 - 6 November 2007)

George Grljusich (lung cancer)

15 January 1939 - 6 November 2007.

George Grljusich played 12 games for South Fremantle in 1960. George is best known today for his role as anchorman of the Radio 6PR Saturday morning and post-match Sunday afternoon talk-back sports radio programs for many years in the late-1990s and early-2000s. He worked for ABC Radio 6WF-720 from 1960-96 and then joined cross-town rivals 6PR in 1996 where he continued to work until his untimely death. He developed a strong and resilient chemistry with the late Geoff Christian (1934-7 November 1998) on Radio 6WF's Saturday Sportstalkand later with fellow ex-South Fremantle player Brad Hardie and the one and only Malcolm Gregory Brown on 6PR. The Sunday afternoon after-match banter on 6PR involving Brown, Grljusich, and Hardie was especially entertaining and riveting. Although not always politically correct, people respected George's warm good humour, his (sometimes not always evident) empathy and compassion, and his expert knowledge of the winter and summer games. He surprised many by becoming a competent caller of Perth Glory Soccer Club's home games during the AFL off-seasons. George most definitely had that rare capacity, shared by people such as 6PRLateline's Graham Mabury, to make listeners believe and feel that they were part of a vibrant invisible community. When you were listening to 6PR sports programs you never felt you were alone in the world! Thanks for all the memories [by Jack Frost]. 

WAFL Golden Era Grand Final DVDs (1972-86) - Where to buy them

Merchandise Store at Lathlain Park (2/7/2011) where you can buy 1976 and 1977 WAFL Grand Final DVDs, the Perth FC official history book From Redlegs to Demons, and other home team gear. The store opens for all Perth FC WAFL home games. Visit Lathlain Park and imagine it is 1976 again! 

1972 Grand Final - East Perth Football Club, Leederville Oval (office hours).
1973 Grand Final - Subiaco Football Club, Leederville Oval (office hours).

1974 Grand Final - East Fremantle Football Club, East Fremantle Oval (office hours).

1976 Grand Final - Perth Football Club, Lathlain Park (office hours) and Merchandise Stand at Lathlain Park on match-days (located in north-western corner of the ground just inside the main entrance gates).

1977 Grand Final - Perth Football Club, Lathlain Park (office hours) and Merchandise Stand at Lathlain Park on match-days (located in north-western corner of the ground just inside the main entrance gates).

1978 Grand Final - East Perth Football Club, Leederville Oval (office hours). I was sold my copy for $10 (but that might have been because the regular administrator was out-for-lunch - typical old-school amateur WAFL approach - love it).

1979 Grand Final - East Fremantle Football Club, East Fremantle Oval (office hours). Also check out EFFC's official website if you live far away from the club. You may be able to order and pay online.

1980 Grand Final - South Fremantle Football Club Merchandise Store (inside the main grandstand with entry at street level from the footpath just across the road from the Fremantle Markets' exit) (office hours).

1981 Grand Final - Claremont Football Club, Claremont Oval - I was told at the club that this DVD is the best-seller of all the Claremont premiership DVDs. (It is sold in a two-disc set - one disc is the game itself and one disc has bonus features. Yes it includes all the fights in the opening minutes.)

1985 Grand Final - East Fremantle Football Club, East Fremantle Oval (office hours).

1986 Grand Final - Subiaco Football Club, Leederville Oval (office hours).

Note: I am guessing the reason that neither West Perth nor Swan Districts sell Grand Final DVDs for their premiership years is because these two clubs have not purchased the reproduction rights from ABC TV. (Yes I have made inquiries at both clubs during office hours. No, I didn't actually drive to Joondalup, I emailed the club.)

Interesting fact: The box cover for the 1977 Grand Final DVD says: "Perth versus East Perth" whereas the DVD inside correctly is for the 1977 match between Perth and East Fremantle. For Perth supporters I'm sure it is preferable to imagine that it was East Perth also defeated in 1977! [Note, interesting fact, and research by Jack Frost.]

OPINION: My West Perth FC All-Stars Teams, 1977-84 and 1985 (compiled when it was all happening in 1984 and 1985)

Kieran J.ames at the redeveloped Leederville Oval, 6/7/2011, behind the northern or Technical School end goals.

My West Perth FC all-stars teams

1977-84 best team (compiled in 1984)

Backs: Bill Duckworth, Ray Holden, Ross Gibbs

Half-backs: Ross Prunster, Geoff Hendriks, Shane Fitzsimmons

Centres: Peter Murnane, Mel Whinnen (vice-capt.), Stuart Hiller

Half-forwards: David Palm, Brian Adamson, Barry Day

Forwards: Bill Valli, Rod Alderton, Craig Nelson

Ruck: Ben Jager, Peter Menaglio, Les Fong (capt.)

Interchange: Alan Watling, Dean Warwick, George Michalczyk

Coach: Graham Campbell

1985 best team (compiled in 1985)

Backs: Wayne Dayman, Graeme Comerford, Neale Fong

Half-backs: Brian Perrin, Geoff Hendriks, Dean Laidley

Centres: Peter Murnane, Brendon Bell, Paul Mifka

Half-forwards: Derek Kickett, Phil Bradmore, Les Fong (capt.)

Forwards: Gavin Chaplin, Mark Stephens., Darren Bewick

Ruck: Kim Rogers, Peter Menaglio, Corry Bewick

Interchange: George Michalczyk, John Gastev, John Duckworth

Coach: John Wynne

Mike B. and Kieran J., joint West Perth FC cheer squad founders (1984-86), 25 years on, Exchange Hotel, Kalgoorlie, 14 July 2011

1986 WA Footballer of the Year Award - full listing of top 41 vote-getters (many great players on this list escaped The Eagles' grasp and many missed VFL/AFL altogether)

A great place to watch football and the traditional WAFL ground which is perhaps closest to how it was in the 1980s: Lathlain Park for Perth v Swan Districts, 2/7/2011. The picture was taken from the concrete terracing in front of the can bar where there is a good atmosphere at PFC home games. You can almost see the ghostly figure of Murray Couper in the forward pocket (or Mick Rea depending how old you are!) leading out in the direction of a pinpoint Robert Wiley pass. Wiley came fifth in the 1986 WA Footballer of the Year Award.

1986 WA Footballer of the Year Award

Laurie Keene (WCE jersey), 10/10/09 

Final Results: Laurie Keene (S) – 45 votes; Paul Harding (EF) – 37 votes; Peter Sartori (37 votes); Mark Bairstow (SF) – 34 votes; R Wiley (P) – 33 votes; P Featherby (S) – 32 votes; B Peake (EF) – 31 votes; Steve Malaxos (C) – 29 votes; B Taylor (S) – 28 votes; S Goulding (C) – 24 votes; C Bewick (WP) – 24 votes; W Matera (SF) – 23 votes; C Starcevich (EP) – 22 votes; P Wilson (EF) – 22 votes; D Panizza (C) – 20 votes; N Taylor (S) – 19 votes; P Bradmore (WP) – 18 votes; M O’Connell (C) – 17 votes; W Dean (S) – 17 votes; A Montgomery (P) – 17 votes; A Ischenko (EP) – 16 votes; M Watson (P) – 16 votes; D Laidley (WP) – 16 votes; L Fong (WP) – 25 votes; S Da Rui (EP) – 14 votes; G Neesham (EF) – 14 votes; D Rankin (EF) – 14 votes; M Mitchell (C) – 13 votes; C Mainwaring (EF) – 13 votes; M Wrensted (EF) – 13 votes; J Santostefano (P) – 13 votes; D Holmes (SD) – 13 votes; J Worsfold (SF) – 13 votes; B Cousins (P) – 12 votes; D Langsford (SD) – 12 votes; D Lamb (S) – 12 votes; B Yorgey (P) – 11 votes; P Mifka (WP) – 11 votes; R Dennis (EP) – 10 votes; C Edwards (SF) – 10 votes; K Taylor (SD) – 10 votes.

Mark Bairstow - Sandover Medal but fourth here

All West Perth FC vote getters: D Foley – 9 votes; P Menaglio – 8 votes; S King, C Barnes 6 votes; B Bell, D Warwick – 5 votes; J Gastev – 4 votes; C Nelson, D Bewick 3 votes; D Martin 1 vote.

Source: The West Australian, Monday, 28 August, 1986 [picture caption and archival research by Jack Frost].

1986 Sandover Medal Count - full results from the last count of the WAFL Golden Era before the VFL/AFL Invasion - congratulations to Mark Bairstow (SFFC)

Mark Bairstow (SFFC) - 1986 Sandover Medallist and last of the Golden Era

1986 Sandover Medal Count, Golden Ballroom at Sheraton Perth Hotel

Final Results: Mark Bairstow (South Fremantle) – 39 votes; Brian Taylor (Subiaco) – 36 votes; Paul Harding (East Fremantle) – 34 votes; Laurie Keene (Subiaco) – 32 votes; Robert Wiley (Perth) – 32 votes; Peter Wilson (East Fremantle) – 30 votes.

Mark Bairstow (SF / Geelong)

All West Perth FC vote getters (unbelievably no WP player was in the Top 24 places): Les Fong – 14 votes; Dean Laidley, Dan Foley – 13 votes; John Gastev – 11 votes; Peter Menaglio, Ross Munns, Brendon Bell – 8 votes; Phil Bradmore, Craig Nelson – 7 votes; Corry Bewick – 6 votes; Peter Murnane – 4 votes; Kim Rogers, Simon Lill, Darren Bewick 3 votes; Dean Warwick, Sean King – 2 votes.

Team totals (5-4-3-2-1 voting system): Subiaco 212; East Fremantle 202; Perth 173; Claremont 158; East Perth 143; South Fremantle 129; West Perth 128; Swan Districts 115.

(Source: Geoff Christian (1986b), “Bairstow’s Sandover in a count thriller”, Tuesday, 16 September, pp. 87-8.)

Laurie Keene (S) - fourth

FOOTNOTES: 1. The Count Night was held in 1986 in the week prior to the Grand Final rather than in the week prior to the first semi-final.

2. Although Swan Districts finished eighth out of the then eight WAFL clubs in 1986, two SD players scored more votes than WP’s top vote getter Les Fong. These two players were: Peter Sartori with 25 votes and Kevin Taylor with 15 votes. Geoff Christian did not comment about the low number of votes polled by WP players [picture captions, footnotes, and archival research by Jack Frost].

1985 Sandover Medal Count Night - Back with and for the Football Elites at the Golden Ballroom Sheraton Perth Hotel but Murray Wrensted (EF) deserved the win

Murray Wrensted (EFFC) - much deserved winner of the 1985 Medal. Forget about "that kick". Please remember him for "that Medal".

Michael Mitchell (C) - second

1985 Sandover Medal Count, Golden Ballroom at Sheraton Perth Hotel

Final Results: Murray Wrensted (East Fremantle) – 46 votes; Michael Mitchell (Claremont) – 34 votes; Peter Davidson (Claremont) – 33 votes; Mark Bairstow (South Fremantle) – 33 votes; Dwayne Lamb (Subiaco) – 32 votes; David Bain (East Perth) – 30 votes.

All West Perth FC vote getters: Dean Laidley – 25 votes (11^th place); Kim Rogers – 23 votes (equal 12^th place); Gavin Chaplin – 21 votes; Phil Bradmore, Peter Menaglio – 14 votes; Corry Bewick, George Michalczyk – 11 votes; Darren Bewick – 10 votes; John Gastev – 9 votes; Brendon Bell – 6 votes; Graeme Comerford, Doug Simms, Wayne Dayman, Les Fong – 5 votes; Derek Kickett, Peter Cutler, Brian Perrin – 4 votes; Paul Mifka, Dean Warwick – 3 votes; Peter Murnane, Tony Fraser 2 votes.

Mark Bairstow (SF) - fourth

Team totals (5-4-3-2-1 voting system): East Fremantle 222; West Perth 186; Subiaco 182; Claremont 146; South Fremantle 140; Perth 137; Swan Districts 131; East Perth 116 [archival research by Jack Frost].

Source: Geoff Christian (1985c), “A birthday Sandover for Wrensted”, The West Australian, Tuesday, 27 August, p. 96.