WHAT IS A PREMIERSHIP WORTH TO A CLUB

To win a Premiership flag is a really great feeling for all concerned, the Coaching Staff, Players'.

Trainers, Directors, Property men, Volunteers, Members, one can go on an on. Then there are the Sponsors, Players' families, wives and girlfriends and of course thousands of supporters right throughout the State.

Probably the most important thing is the mateship that is formed by the players' who have done the work, not only on the day, but right throughout the year.

A few weeks ago, East Fremantle Football Club had their Annual Life Members night at the Social Club.

It came to our notice, that 4 of the 1957 Premiership side were in attendance, they included Con Regan, Norm Rogers, Len Anderson and myself. It was then that we started to count the Life Members from the 1957 side. We discovered that 11 of the 20 who played in the Grand Final have since been honoured with Life Membership of the Club.

They are:
Merv Cown, Frank Coulson, Percy Johnson, Wilson Onions, Con Regan, Norm Rogers, Len Anderson, Ken Holt, Jack Clarke, Lauri Nugent & Oscar Howard.

It is even more remarkable, as at East Fremantle, a player is not automatically granted Life Membership after playing 150 League games with the Club, as it does with many other football clubs in Australia. A person must serve the Club for at least 10 years and be nominated and seconded by a Life Member. It was then that we thought of other sides at East fremantle and of course the unbeaten 1946 Team came under notice. Would you believe, 11 Members of the Grand Final team all became Life Members of East Fremantle Football Club.

They are:
Ron Mellowship, Jim Clarke, Charlie Doig, Ken Ebbs, Don Gabrielson, Harold Jeffries, Jim Conway, George Prince, Jack Sheedy, Alan Ebbs & Vic French

One could possibly say winning a Premiership gives the players' a real feeling for their Club and a lot wish to help others to go along the same track.

It would be interesting to find out how the other senior Clubs' all over Australia have rewarded their Premiership Players' and if any Club can come near to, or beat East Fremantle's record

It goes without saying Premiership Players' seem to put a lot back into the Club.

Port Adelaide with all their Premiership Flags is one Club who could be close to East Fremantle.

I would be surprised if any Club could better our count.

LOOKING AT THE 1946 SIDE

Jack Sheedy is the Patron of East Fremantle Football Club and attends most of our home games.

Don Gabrielson the half back flanker, with tons of pace and accurate kick attends the Club nearly every Friday night.

George Prince, once considered the most versatile player in the Club, is a Member of our "Mandurah Sharks Supporters Club" and attends most of their monthly meetings.

Great to see the three elder gentlemen still supporting East Fremantle.