Our brightest stars: South Fremantle DistrictThursday, June 18, 2020 - 2:41 PM

Western Australia has a proud history of developing elite football talent, with many of the game’s brightest stars beginning their careers at local junior football clubs right across the State.

In a series of articles highlighting the rich talent pool in WA over the years, Lenny Fogliani takes a closer look at the best current and former WAFL and AFL players to emerge from junior clubs in WA’s regions and districts.

This article focusses on junior clubs in South Fremantle Football Club's metropolitan district.

To find your local junior club, please click here.

A number of great players have come fromSouth Fremantle's metropolitan district. Below are some of the most notable.

Photo: Glen Jakovich

SOUTH FREMANTLE METRO DISTRICT

The South Fremantle metropolitan district has a rich history of producing outstanding WAFL and AFL talent.

Within the South Fremantle metropolitan district there are currently 12 junior clubs – Armadale, Bibra Lake, Cockburn, Fremantle City Dockers, Hammond Park, Jandakot Jets, Kardinya, Kelmscott, Kwinana, Mundijong Centrals, Roleystone, and South Coogee.

Below are some of the notable players to have come from these junior clubs.

ASHLEY MCGRATH – ARMADALE JFC

The brother of former AFL players Toby and Cory, Ash McGrath was a star for Brisbane between 2001 and 2014. Across 14 seasons, McGrath played 214 games (the sixth most by a Lion) and kicked 170 goals (the tenth most by a Lion). He was a member of the Brisbane Lions’ 2003 AFL Premiership triumph over Collingwood, had three top-ten placings in a Club Best and Fairest (2009: 7th, 2010: 6th, 2011: 5th), represented the Indigenous All Stars on three occasions (2003, 2009, 2013), represented Australia in the 2013 International Rules Series, and won the 2013 Jim Stynes Medal. He is currently an Assistant Coach with the WA U18s State Academy, working primarily with the forwards.

DARREN GASPAR – COCKBURN JFC

The brother of former AFL players Damien and Travis Gaspar, Darren was a star defender in the AFL between 1994 and 2007. Across 14 seasons, Gaspar played a total of 228 games (207 with Richmond and 21 with Sydney). His 207 games with Richmond places him in the top 25 for most games played by a Tiger. Throughout his career, Gaspar won one Best and Fairest (2001), had three top-ten placings in a Best and Fairest count (2000: 2nd, 2003: 9th, 2005: 4th), was named All-Australian twice (2000: centre half-back, 2001: back pocket), represented Australia in the 2001 International Rules Series, represented WA in the 1997 State of Origin fixture ad finished eighth in the 1997 Brownlow Medal count. After his playing career, Gaspar was a commentator for SEN, covering the Fremantle Dockers and West Coast Eagles games, alongside Tim Gossage.

PETER SUMICH – COCKBURN JFC

The former Australian U19 National Cricketer went on to become one of the great key forwards of the modern era. Between 1989 and 1997, Sumich played 150 games and kicked 514 goals (the second most by an Eagle) for the West Coast Eagles. During his AFL career Sumich won seven Leading Goalkicker Awards (the current record-holder at the Eagles), was a key member of West Coast’s Premiership triumphs over Geelong in 1992 (11 possessions and 6 goals) and 1994 (6 possessions and 2 goals), won West Coast’s Rookie of the Year in 1989 and represented WA in State of Origin on two occasions (1991, 1993). Sumich also played 112 games and kicked 178 goals for South Fremantle. He won South Fremantle’s Leading Goalkicker Award on two occasions (1988, 1998) and was a member of the Bulldogs’ 1997 premiership triumph over East Fremantle. After his playing career, Sumich performed coaching roles with South Fremantle, Fremantle and West Coast. He is currently the Head Coach of the WA U18s State Academy.

BRAD HARDIE – FREMANTLE CITY DOCKERS JFC

Despite being severely burnt at a young age, Hardie went on to become an all-time great footballer. He made his senior WAFL debut in 1979, as a 16-year-old for South Fremantle where he would go on to play 140 games and kick 308 goals. During his stint with the Bulldogs, Hardie won the 1982 Best and Fairest, the 1984 Leading Goalkicker Award and finished third in the 1983 Sandover Medal. Between 1985 and 1986, he played 47 games and kicked 28 goals for Footscray. He is best remembered for winning the Brownlow Medal in his first season of VFL/AFL football (1985), becoming only the second player since Haydn Bunton Snr to achieve this feat. He also won Footscray’s Best and Fairest in 1986, as well as earning All-Australian selection. He then transferred to the Brisbane Bears where he played 101 games, kicked 192 goals, and won two Leading Goalkicker Awards (1989, 1990) across five seasons. He was also an excellent State of Origin performer winning two Simpson Medals (1984, 1986) and two Tassie Medals (1984, 1986). He is the only player to be awarded two Tassie Medals. In 2019, he was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame.

GLEN JAKOVICH – SOUTH COOGEE JFC

The brother of former Melbourne full-forward Allen Jakovich, Glen is arguably West Coast’s greatest defender. Across 14 seasons, Jakovich played 276 games (the second most by an Eagle) and had career averages of 17 possessions, 4 marks and 3 rebounding 50s. He was a key member of both West Coast’s Grand Final triumphs over Geelong in 1992 (15 possessions, 2 marks) and 1994 (20 possessions, 5 marks), won four Best and Fairests (1993, 1994, 1995, 2000), won two All-Australian jumpers (1994: centre half-back, 1995: centre half-back), won two Glendinning-Allan Medals (1996, 2001), represented Australia in the 2003 International Rules Series, and had two top-ten placings in the Brownlow (1992: 9th, 1994: 10th). He also represented WA in State of Origin in nine games between 1991 and 1998. He was inducted into the AFL Hall of Fame in 2008.

List of notable footballers from the South Fremantle District.