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.
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].
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.
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| 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].
My school mate, team mate, sadly missed. Disagree that he was not overly fast. He was quick, winning Northam Senior High Champion Boy 1978. You were a beauty Terror, tough as nails. Tweeds
ReplyDeleteThanks for that article. A tough and brave team mate, in the top three quickest over the ground at West Perth, along with Rocket Alderton and Darren Bewick, which made him one of the best shirt-fronters in the business, and an absolutely terrific fellow. To have Kim Rigoll, another great teammate, win the inaugural Wayne Dayman award was poignant and deserving. He was a beauty!! Morgs
ReplyDeleteI based my toughness towards the ball on 2 people.. Mick Conman from Fitzroy and Wayne Terror Dayman.. Loved watching him play for the MIGHTY Falcons as a youngster down at Leederville oval.. I'll never forget him.. R.I.P Wayne...
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