The History of
Rugby League in
Western Australia

Welcome to the History of Rugby League in Western Australia. A rich and diverse historical account of our great game in WA; where it started and how it progressed, complete with hundreds of archive clippings and images going back over 75 years. We hope you enjoy the trip down memory lane.

"Dedicated to all who have pulled on a jumper and gone into battle"

If any former players and supporters have any memorabilia, photographs, stories or other information that they would like to donate or make the Archive aware of, please contact me via the dropdown contact link.

Thank you

Rod Fielding

Early Rugby in Western Australia

Between 1882-1884 Rugby was played in an ad hoc way between three clubs.

A Brief Moment in Time

A Brief History of the Early Days of Rugby League in WA.

The Early Beginnings

Rugby League from some accounts was first played in Western Australia in 1926.

The 1946 “Indomitables”

The 1946 Great Britain side “Indomitables” visited WA in April 1946 .... rugby league was 2 years off being launched in Western Australia.

Founding Fathers

These brave and pioneering men took the initial steps to establish the game of Rugby League in WA.

1947 - The First Meetings

It was after the 1947 Rugby Union Grand Final that Bob Chester and Jim Carroll talked about taking an exhibition game to Bunbury.

Foundation Clubs

Five first grade clubs involved in 1948 -Fremantle, South Perth, Cottesloe .Perth and Palmyra(who dropped out after 2 rounds) . By 1949 two more clubs had entered Eastern Suburbs and Applecross.

Fremantle

Fremantle was originally a Rugby Union Club and in 1948 after a series of meetings moved to Rugby League.

South Perth

In January 1948 a special meeting of the South Perth Rugby Club was held at the Mends Street Hall on Mill Point Road.

Cottesloe

Initial Meetings were held at Alex Mathesons house and he described the early days at the Cottesloe club as 'tough'.

Perth

Perth Rugby League Club adopted the Myrtle Green and Cardinal Red colours of South Sydney, and joined the WARL in 1948.

The First Goalposts

The First Game was planned -But where were the goal posts coming from? With less than a week’s preparation this was a big task.

History unfolds on the Esplanade

On the 17th April 1948 at 12.15pm 35 brave men ran onto the Esplanade.

Game One- WA State

The WARFL side played their first ever State game against South Australia on the 24th July 1948 at the WACA.

WA to play Australia

Storms in the Bight results in the game scheduled for Subiaco Oval on Monday 16th August 1948 being cancelled.

1948 Premiership to South Perth

South Perth defeats Fremantle 19-5 to claim first WARFL premiership.

Bomber Pilot stars in first Premiership

A World War two Bomber pilot stars in the first WARL Premiership.

The First Night Game 1949

A truly Historical visit in 1949 by Balmain to Western Australia to play four games against the senior State team.

Inaugural Brice Trophy 1950

In 1950 a young 22-year-old Cottesloe Centre in Tom Myles was awarded the the first Brice Trophy.

Applecross Juniors The First

The first junior rugby league game in WA was between Applecross and Eastern Suburbs in 1949 and ended in a 3 all draw with one try apiece.

The Hurlingham Flying Pigs

A vacant paddock and the promise of free milk was the catalyst to start a junior rugby league team out of the Hurlingham State Housing Estate.

Tribute to the Pioneers 1948-1954

GORDON SQUIRE

Gordon Squire was a founding member of the Western Australia Amateur Rugby League, becoming the WARFL's first chairman.

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ROY WILLIAMS

Roy Williams was elected the first secretary/treasurer of the new WARFL in February 1948. Refereed the first game at the Esplanade.

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KEN ALLEN

League legend Ken Allen was a life member of the WARL, the WARLRA and of his club Fremantle, Inducted into Hall of Fame in 2019.

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JIM BURNS

Former union State player Jim Burns was a driving force behind the establishment of the game in WA and the WARFL's first president.

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ALEX MATHESON

Alex Matheson described the early days at Cottesloe as tough but said there were plenty of 'fine fellows' to help.

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ALF SCHAFFER

Alf Schaffer attended the first meetings of the game in Daglish, along with an number of other key identities.

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ROGER UTTING

Roger became the first secretary and captain of the Cottesloe Districts rugby league club in 1948. Refereed first grade.

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VIC HODGKISS

Vic Hodgkiss was the first president of the Cottesloe club, & Founding member of group who helped set up the code.

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BARNEY SILBERT

In 1947 during discussions regarding switching to the game of rugby league, Silberts Shoe store became a meeting place.

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BOB CHESTER

In April, 1948 Bob Chester stepped out to represent Perth District against Fremantle District in the first game.

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DR E R DERMER

Dr Dermer was always pushing rugby’s cause on the local council’s boards and he had a wonderful friendship with Mr Frank Gibson which resulted in Fremantle obtaining a permanent ground at Gibson Park

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FRANK BAGULEY

Frank Baguley-The Baguley family had a big footprint in the Fremantle club and he was a founding father of the WARL.

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DOUG TONKIN

Doug Tonkin was a member of the 1947 Fremantle first grade side and the 1950 Fremantle WARFL premiership team.

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KEITH INGRAM

Keith Ingram was one of the 34 players who took part in that first game on the Esplanade in April 1948.

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FRANK HUDSON-TAYLOR

Frank Hudson Taylor was one of the Founding Fathers of the WARL and served on the Board from 1948 to the mid 1950's.

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JIM CARROLL

Jim Carroll was 32 when he partnered Sam Cohen in the centres for Perth Districts on April 17, 1948.

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ARTHUR FOLWELL

The NSWRL helped Kangaroo Arthur Folwell reside in Perth to assist in the development of the game in WA.

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MAX BRICE

WARL life member Max Brice was a foundation member of the Applecross club, WARFL vice president and chairman.

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BOB WILLIAMS

Bob Williams played league until he was 40, ending with a third grade premiership as player-coach at North Beach in 1969.

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BOB QUINLAN

Bob Quinlan was known as a determined winger and a strong runner and a solid defence when he debuted in 1951,at 20.

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COLE BROTHERS

The Cole family of Sid, Malcom and Owen played for Canning Districts, Perth Rabbitohs and Belmont rugby league club.

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DAN FOGERTY

Dan Fogerty was treasurer and a first team player of the South Perth rugby club in 1948, when they decided to form the WARFL.

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COLIN KELLY

Colin Kelly was a pioneer referee in the early days of the game, along with Ken Allen, Doug Cohen and Alf Dickson.

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JACK McKINNON

Jack McKinnon joined Cottesloe in 1952 , he won the premiership in his first year of becoming the Tigers coach in 1955.

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MAX WHITE

Policeman Max White joined South Perth in 1946, and was a member of the club's first league season in 1948, at fullback.

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RON HUDSON

A life member of the WARL, president of the WARL 1972-76, Ron Hudson helped establish Applecross in the competition.

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RAY MOORE

Ray Moore was born in Sydney where he attended St Patricks College Strathfield. He played for the schools first XIII 1936 -1940 and captained the side in last two years. He joined the Navy in 1943 and was discharged in 1946. He then moved to Perth.

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BOB 'RED' ROSSER

Bob 'Red' Rosser started his career with Fremantle in 1949 as a junior and by 1954 was a first grade star with the club.

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FRANK MORGAN

Centre Frank Morgan debuted for WA in 1953, and played for Cottesloe and Fremantle, as vice-captain of the latter in 1955.

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GEORGE HUTCHINSON

George Hutchinson made his debut for Cottesloe in 1951, aged 16. Tigers president-1972-75 , Treasurer from 1966-1971 .

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JIM & GLORIA BURROWS

Jim and Gloria Burrows joined the club in 1950's and became lifetime supporters of the Bulldogs club.

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ERIC PASCOE

A speedy, rugged second rower, Eric Pascoe made his debut for Western Australia against Northern Territory in 1956.

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GERRY GREEN

World War 2 commando Gerry Green, who played for South Perth, represented WA three times against Balmain in 1949.

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JACK COUSINS

Centre Jack Cousins was one of six Cottesloe union players to switch to rugby league in 1948. State Player 1948 and 49.

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GRAHAM WASHINGTON

Cottesloe Tigers Graham Washington played the first game in WA against Perth Districts on April 17, 1948.

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JIM CASEY

'Tough as nails' hooker Jim Casey drove from York to Perth every weekend to play for the Nedlands club in the early 1950s.

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JOE McGUINNESS

Fullback Joe McGuiness came to league in 1948 when the Fremantle club moved in its entirety to play the code.

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JOHN POPE

Tough forward John Pope's visits to the league judiciary were legendary, where it is said he had his own 'permanent' seat.

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KAILIS BROTHERS

The Kailis brothers were part of the Hellenic club, but are more famous for their family fishing business.

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KEN KENNEDY

Centre, WA State player and coach Ken Kennedy helped form the Canning Districts rugby league club in 1952.

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NORMAN PLESTER

Norman Plester played for South Perth from 1951-1956, playing over 100 games and represented Western Australia 11 times.

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R & J GRAFFIN

Ray and John Graffin became the first brothers to play for Western Australia in 1959 in a match against NSW Country.

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ROBERT PATCHING

Robert Patching helped South Perth win their third premiership in 1952 after taking out the Brice Trophy a year earlier, aged just 19.

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RON KIDNER

All-round sportsman Ron Kidner played for Cottesloe from 1951-57, and for the WA state side that toured NSW, SA and NT in 1957.

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TOM MYLES

Young Cottesloe centre Tom Myles won the Brice Trophy at 20 and captained the first West Australian State team to tour NSW in 1952.

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SAM COHEN

Sam Cohen played for Perth, the Rabbitohs and represented WA in 1948 as a front rower, and in 1949 against SA as a centre.

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STAN SAXON

Halfback Stan Saxon was just 18 when he made his WA State debut against touring rugby league giants Balmain in 1949.

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TERRY SULLIVAN

Terry Sullivan played for Fremantle Districts vs Perth Districts in the first game at the Esplanade on April 14, 1948.

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WILLIAM HILLIER

Victoria Park/Canning Lock Bill Hillier won the Brice Trophy twice -1956 and 1961 and played 18 time for WA, captaining the State twice.

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FRANK TESTER

Frank started his playing career in 1950 at Peake Park in Carlisle with the Eastern Suburbs Club who entered the first grade competition in 1949.

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Vernon, Terry, Tony, and Graham Landwehr

Vern played for Eastern Suburbs in 1949 before the family moved from Carlisle to North Beach. Terry, Tony and Graham all played for North Beach

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THE PALMYRA SEVEN

Seven brave young men from the Palmyra Rugby Union club broke ranks to play in that inaugural game at the Esplanade on April 17th 1948.

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OTHERS TO REMEMBER

The HistoryofWARL acknowledges several players who made a great contribution to the first rugby league game on the 17th April 1948.

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The Real Legends

Over the years there have been a number of great people within the game in WA who have volunteered their time and resources so the game could be successful

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A Tribute to those that made WA Rugby League Home.

ALF DICKSON

ALF DICKSON

Alf Dickson came from the Parramatta District where he played for the Guilford and Fairfield City clubs. He was a life member of the WARLRA.

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ALEX MORTON

ALEX MORTON

Alex Morton was a Fremantle junior who debut for Western Australia in 2002 in the Affiliated States carnival in South Australia.

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ANDREW JEFFREY

ANDREW JEFFREY

Andrew Jeffrey joined the Sharks in 2012 from Woolgoolga NSW. Andrew debut for the Western Australia State side in the same year. 100 first grade game player for Sharks.

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ANGELO TSAKALOS

ANGELO TSAKALOS

Angelo captained the state to an historic win over ACT in 1997 and co-coached the South Perth Senior Premiership Team to the 2021 Grand Final with Daniel Green. He has been an outstanding volunteer for the South Perth Lions

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ANNEKA TAIA-STEPHENS

ANNEKA TAIA-STEPHENS

Anneka after featuring in the Womens Rugby League World Cup was named 2023 Tackle Players Player of the Year and League tag player of the year.

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BARRIE GARVIE

BARRIE GARVIE

Barry Garvie arrived at the Tigers from the South Coast of NSW, in 1977 just as they moved from Harvey Field, Cottesloe to Nash Field Mosman Park.

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BILL DALEY

BILL DALEY

Bill Daley was the in-form prop of the WARL in 1978 when Victoria Park Canning took out the premiership.

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BOB BOYCE

BOB BOYCE

Hard running second rower Bob Boyce arrived at North Beach from Queensland in 1982.

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BRETT SIMPSON

BRETT SIMPSON

Throughout Brett's time with the juniors of the Pilbara he continue to help out with the Wickham Wasps men’s team fulfilling role of Manager and later Coach

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BRUCE GREENWOOD

BRUCE GREENWOOD

Bruce Greenwood has been President of the South Perth Club for 16 years between 1984 - 2021.

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BRUCE HOLZWART

BRUCE HOLZWART

Bruce played with Mosman Cottesloe from 1978 – 1986 finishing with a Grand Final appearance against Applecross as Captain Coach and over 150 first grade appearances

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CHRIS JENSEN

CHRIS JENSEN

Kiwi lock forward Chris Jensen joined Belmont in 1987 after playing in Queensland and France.

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A tribute to some of the local born identities of our game

KENNEDY CHERRINGTON

Not very often does Western Australia get a local junior player playing in a winning World Cup Final team. Kennedy achieved this in 2022 and scored two tries in Australia’s win over New Zealand at Old Trafford.

1948                        
C King
T Sullivan
A Gleaves
B Wells
J Carroll
R Chester
M Willett
R Owen
E Warner
R Slater
D Tonkin
K Allen
S Cohen
V Boley
F Mike
C O’Conner
J Cousins 
1949       
J McGuiness
P Weiss
K Brown
S Saxon
M White
R Bower
J Graham
T Myles*
S King
B Eurell
G Green
F McDonnald
D Cort
J Tlbury
J Kiros
B Ellis
1950       
G Jannings
T Boyd
L McCann
L Graham
R Patching*
G Vooles
P Nearly
1951       
R Quinlan snr
R Sampson
N Plester
W Nicholson
L Leavy
R Robinson
B Pritchett
J Leham
W Nicholson
1952       
P Bannon
G Hunter
S Twight
L Clement
J Stewart
B Barrett
W Hillier*
D Brealey
J Casey *
J Daymond
R Kidner*
D Bogle
T Hobart
R Buck
D (Colin) Dolman
M Downing
J Lavender
J McKinnon
R Keen
M Steele
A Gates
T Morris
C Kallis
O Quinn
1953       
J Fitzgerald
K Thompson
R Annear
J Cordner
W Miller
L Fairleigh
N Neary
G Baron-Hay
L Flood
B Costello
N Bowden
P Robson
L Tinsen
R Lester
L Larner
N Coward
A Furlong
N Tremanus
1954       
R Williams
K Kennedy
L Conroy
P Kallis
A Smith
H Tickle
W Rosser
N Morrison
S Moore
T Fellows
1955       
L Carr
A Cahill
J Bowler
R Barton
R O’Brien
D Alexander
M Wells
M Dickhart
1956       
D McBride
J Bell
R Fisher
F Joslin
J Wright
M Cole
E Pascoe
D Campbell
1957       
R Jones
M Fletcher
D Boswood
R Kronberger
F Knapp
M Wells
C Wrankmore
H Rayner*

1958       
J Varris
R Addison
F Morgan
R Taylor
J Lister*
M Basile
O Cole
J Heath
G McMahon
J Broderick
  R Burkhardt
1959       
M Hunt*
R McCullum
K Bryant
R Graffin
Keith Fisher
B Kell
R Lawtie
J Graffin
1960       
N Davis
P Gauci
G Mickle
G Booth
K Bancroft
N Williams*
I Gardiner
L Maloney
V Andrews
P Spencer
J Kenny
R Woods
R Gregg
P Thospsett
1961       
M Cronin
A Pollock
B Pitcher
B Hogue
B Pratt
S Urquhart
B Carter
1962     
M Curtis
R Walsh
F Astoni
B Wedgewood
M O’Neill*
R Rosser
M Curtis
P Woolridge
L James
B Poynton
T Woodall
P Woolridge
I White*
G Lawler
L Rimmington
V Loughmann
1963
P Learmouth
Ross White (Freo)
C Burlington
R Kelly
B Biggs
V Moran
J James
B O'Conner
G Cooper
1964       
R Urquhart
H Ullrick
R Granville*
T Hughes
B McAuliffe
F Stone*
D Woodcock
K Munn
J McRobert
H Rayner
1965                        
C Constantine
K Cathercole
R Sprago
G Rothney
R Thomas
T Coman*
1966       
B McAllister
B Draffin
P McLarty*
Ross White (Norths)
G Laurenson
J Gallagher
K Montgomery
G Phillips
B Draffin
1967       
E Campbell
P Richards
B Kirby
J Collins
O Hall
B Rand
1968     
B de Mamiel
J Russell
W Johnson
R Gair
R Marre
1969
P Robertson
J Nettleton
G Kerr
H Burrows
I McGoldrick
G Torrens
D Shea
J Baguley
P O'Carroll
1970  
J Lorrimer
M Haynes
R Thomason
K Cooke
H Rampant
W Jarman
Richard White
S Morris
1971       
B Turnbull
R Buckland W Patterson
T Jubb*
S Bowler
B Gallen
B Kingsman
K Savage
T Frisby*
Steven Buck
A Meirs
J Coombs
J Adams
D Trenberth
G Dixon
G Salway
B Lusty
J Gush
R Haynes
1972     
J Osborne
P Callaghan*
C Lynn
V Hennessy
G Scott Malcolm
L Wigg
R Latermore
S James
P Eves
1973
B Parker
P Hazell
B King
1974       
G Hookham*
B Boschetto
M Newey
C Power
A Vockler
1975       
T Maybank
K Baldrey
I Glass
A Mitchell
A Lockley*
P Kennedy
N Ivey
J Clarke
D Mooney
I Butler
K HarrisWalker
A Baraugh
M Hanlon
S Turnley
R Cooke
1976       
P Strid
D Robinson
L Castle
B Daley
E Bullen
 I Walls*
1977       
M Ridley
J Fielding*
G Calkin
R Rice
R Nelson*
P McKenna
A Dixon
R Porter
M Jennings
D Cherry
1978
R Shilliday
C Waller
P Bell
G Taylor
K Ingram
K Hanneman
L Cullen
P Lucas
P Cumins
S Allen
N Constantine
R Fielding
B Holzwart
B Milburn
P Troth
M Hall*
J Bradley
C Dowling
B Blake
P King
B Twentyman

1979-No State team
1980-No State team
1981       
B Sinclair
D Moog
S Fielding
C Callaghan
L Standen*
R Zillmann
M Rassmussen
M Daley
M Brady
M Haggerty
P Graham
H Maybir
J Zhara*
J Clarke-R Dickinson
1982       
P Harrison
D Cook
R Sinclair
C Burke
W Coey
B Boyce
C Burkhardt
D Thomas
N Talty
M Couch
A Shreeve
D Williams
G Gideona
S Barrett
1983       
P Bigg
S Hamilton
R Snell
G Waite
P Evans
M Evans
K Denton*
G Stockton
D McPharland
R Simmons
P Mortimer(Cant.)
J Lumaris
R Sherriff
J Coutts
1984       
J Webb
M Wilson
R Blair
D Yates
A Lowe
E Awa
D Waters
O Paki
T Dawson
M Renouff
D Swan
D Preston
G Lane
G Crane
S Anderson


1985       
D Riley
R Pettit
C Coutts
J Sollis
G Ponting
D Arbouin
G Cazilieris
A Hill
D Crozier
P Williams
G Germain
T Bader
D Hartney
P Murphy
G Stirrat
G Ross
M Kelliher
1986       
N Fisher
P Duffy
B Minciullo
S Vidler
S Tyrrell
C Jensen
G Petersen
N Robson
A Lomax
M Kenny
D Warwick
R McKiernan
E Herangi
S Childs
R Sollis*
J Ward
K Thompson
1987       
D Daffin
W Lewis
M Watson
S Tea
C Greig
P Tubbs
N Kotua
C Christie
1988       
R Langloise
N Burge
B Parker
P Woodford
D Taylor
G Hita
D Brown
A Harris
M Riley*
T Goodman

 C McWilliam
1990       
P Guthrie*
W Law
R Schmidt
D Lewis
D Harp
M Pocock
W Brown
I Howcroft
E Vaafusuaaga
Colin Fraser
J Green
1991                   
P Brown
J McCallum
C Grigg*
P Parr
P Perkins
T Osborne
P Wilton
G Jones*
D Rolleston
T Gary
J Allanson
D Whitchurch*
G Baggott
C Ricketts
B Schutz
G Mason
P Earsman
D Mitchell
D McKillop
M Quinn
M Robinson
G Fissenden
T Looker
R Kahu
P Tuimavave
S Petrie
A Graham
Mason Fisher
M Toomata
A McFarland
1993       
B Doherty
B Martnewvyz
B Logan
B Fellows
G Sinclair
B Mathers
A Walker
J O’Neill
S Freeman
M Pokai
 C Evans
1994       
S Devine
S Barrett
G Fleming
C Dever
J Brewer
D Mammo
J Goulding
P Graham
C Ridding
T Reihana
K Parata*
W Evans
B McCarthy
T Smythe
D Powell
A Milan
S McDermott
A Tsakalos
1995       
A Barich
J Barton
M Geyer
J Millar*
B McDonald
A Rafferty
M Seal
C Northey
A Korn
J Pekapo
J Edmunds
P Muller
Duncan Smith
L Goodwin
P Abercrombie
S Bullock
S Collis
T Hemana
B Hutton
C Matsie
A Simpson

1996
F Sapatu
P Humfrey
J Olejnik
B Mena
B Davies
D Johnson
T Merrick*
B O’Connor*
J Rogers
D Marshall
1997       
M Ritchie
G Rafferty
A Burt
S Owen
M Warren
M Elliott
L Tupoa
A Walters
R Taylor
J Church
C Slacksmith
R Besancon
D Aiese
D Frazer*
W Dedman
C Philpott
S Button
A Lippiatt
S Graces
W Blazey
1998       
C Waters
Steve Smith
T North
R Stewart
M Campbell
P Trevitt*
K Cross
B Baker*
S Freebody
L Scott Malcolm
R Peard
1999        
M Armstrong
Clint Fraser*
J Nixon
K Walters
C Sloane
D Lander
R Blane
C Saddler
G Ward
2000       
A Clutterbuck
D Young
K Leslie
G Willett
T Dorotich
T Beacham*
R Ord
 
2002       
P Berk
C Phillis
D Holdsworth
A Morton
S Brook*
M Collis
F Ah Kuoi
C Brown
M Glasby
J Livingston
S Nixon
S Tawhara
L Talamaivao
G Hamilton (Tas)
2003       
I Thomas*
Brent Wood
J Phipps
C Miles
J Bygraves
D Huber
S Quinlan
S Angell
J Scott
J Muir*
S Lennon
S Totten
M Rogers
M Kestel
W Phillis*
S Cherry
M Bonaventura
M Atkin
M Paterson
M Tamati
J Godecke
2004       
S Apaapa
J Toelupe
S Vickery
B Masters
M Purcell
A Alatini
G Godecke
P TeWara
2005       
M South
A Herbert
D Willmott
R Hunter
K Leslie
B McEwen
J Watts
S Gherardi
M Edmunds
2006 
D Green*
Shannon Smith
Z Keating
P Worth
J Blake
S Tipend
J Houlison
J Stubbs



2007       
B Dickson
B McCrone
T Sheehan*
J McGowan
S Hosking
G Dowse
D Ware
R Dickson
J Amesen
R Hare
 
2008       
J Clift
D Jennings
J Considene
C Millar
J Sandergeld
R Williams
W Rayroro
G Bunsworth
A Cutrupi
M Guthrie*
N Clarke
D Sainty
C Morgan
J Irving
M Apps
 D Collis
2009       
W Voloua
R Burkhardt
D Gunning
T Cranston*
J Freeman
L Walker
J Greenwood
N Searle 
D Cook*

P Sheedy
S Lennon

2010       
J Daffin
D Edwards*
A Paki
B Taylor
A Costello
D Evans
M Doeg
D Halligan
W Paki
B Couglan
B Edwards
2011       
L Heath
S Jacobson
B Champion
R Hastings
T Mailata
S Jones*
J Benjamin

2012
 J Pressley
J Boyton
E Proudler
S Graham*
J Simm
K Tarrant
A Jeffrey
F Pakatoa
W Kelly
B Sharpham
B Nicholls
C Reedy*
Danny Smith
2013      
M Gray
Ben Wood
K Timothy
W Tulilou
D Tapuosi
J Aspden
S Sablowski
J Essex

            
2014      
S Coleman
R Gillett
A Fox
M Howarth
J Pereira
J Jacob
M Porges
K Pettybourne
J Stringer

2015 
B Gibson
T Katu
G Adams
Tony Pamatangi
B Williams
C Walters
Trident Pamatangi
D Hume
H Debique
D Shepherd
B Timlin
B Crotty


2016
M Hulswaard
T Trotter
T Fidow-Kele
J Thompson
A Belcastro
J Smith
R Potter
A Roy

2017        
S Widders
A Cowen
G Connelly
B Leme Pyako
L Houghton
G Fai
2018
L Barclay
J WilsonWyllie
 D Butler*
M Kerr
J Toole
M Hiko
T Thomas
C Takarangi
T Pomale
2019 
K Solomon
S Aull
B Wright
W Smith
M Gudgeon
F Ekeroma
2020/ 2021
No Games

2022
K Donkin
P Porter
Q Fui
R Woolley
S Pera
T Noble
T Rangihaeata
T Hunt
J Day
E Taomia


2023 
B Millar
K McDonald
E Gourgaud
J Grey
J Irvine
R Captein
B Young
C Hudson
B Gilchrist
D Fidow-Kele
K Coleman






•   It is accuracy is as close as we can get and is based on physical Photos and Programmes 

  •   This list is under construction and will be added to as advised.

•   Spelling may be wrong in some cases

.•      * denotes Brice trophy /Ken Allen Winner

A window into the history as it unfolded over the Years

1880 -1928

In the early days of Rugby League's existence in Western Australia the major games were played at The Esplanade, Perth Oval, the WACA, Claremont showgrounds, East Fremantle & Fremantle Oval This 1896 historical photo depicts Fremantle and Imperials footy clubs playing at Fremantle Oval.

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1929-1947

Although not extensively played in WA in that period, many British touring teams made Fremantle their first port of call on their way to the Eastern States. The first documented game of Rugby League in WA was in 1946 at Fremantle Oval.

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1948 The First Game

It was the Saturday 17th April 1948 – The day before must have had a great feeling of nervous excitement for a group of men who had planned the formation of rugby league football the last 12 months. Would the fruits of theirs, at times, very secretive efforts become a reality?

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1948

The Game kicks off on the 24th April after the representative game on the 17th at the Esplanade. Five teams start the competition but Palmyra drops out after two rounds of games. WA plays SA in July and South Perth claims first Premiership.

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1949

Rugby league continues to grow in WA . Perth Wins 1st premiership beating South Perth in final. Balmain Tours WA and play Under Lights at East Fremantle, Perth (2x) & Cottesloe Oval.

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1950

Lions prepare to board the SS Himalaya, bound for Fremantle, Rugby League News reported that Western Australian would be their first fixture of the tour.

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1951

An application has been made to stage the game between WA and the touring French side at WACA grounds. It would be France's last match home after their tour of the Eastern States.

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1952

WA plays the Kangaroos. Three new clubs, Palmyra, Balmoral and Hellenic have joined the rugby league fraternity. The league now has 46 teams in four grades.

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1953

Perth officials are hoping St George can visit WA at the end of the Sydney competition. South Perth win Premiership against Victoria Park.

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1954

League officials have asked their board of control to approach the ABC to have the Test matches broadcast in WA. South Perth wins 1954 Premiership beating Fremantle 8-6

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1955

League officials are excited about their new headquarters at Belmont Park. Opened 15th May. Cottesloe win first premiership. WA plays France.

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1956

Victoria Park won the Grand Final against South Perth 15-9 at Belmont Oval. WA played NT for three wins at Belmont. Nedlands and Palmyra return to Rugby Union.

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  • Perth, Western Australia, Australia

Contact Historian and website administrator Rod Fielding

Acknowlegement image
Donations to Website

Firstly I would like to thank everyone who donated funds to create this web site. I am truly grateful that you all could see my vision.

The Mums and Partners

Thank you to all the Mum’s and partners of the players who kept albums, photo's, programs and other Memorabilia which otherwise may well have been disregarded and/or thrown out .

 News Articles, Photographs,  and Video acknowledgement


Acknowledgement is provided to all the journalists who have covered our great game over the last 70 plus years. Those journalists developed stories and video which in turn developed cultures within and encouraged the following of the code. There is no doubt that media in the last 10 years has changed significantly with the advent of social media and Live streaming. Everyone has a camera these days and the internet has made accessing that media so simple and instance.
In this regard the developers of this “History of Western Australia Rugby League” web page thank you all for the contribution you have all made to preserve the history of the game of rugby league in Western Australia through the print media and through video.
We thank and acknowledge the following:
The West Australian Newspaper
The Sunday Times
The Daily News
The Independent
Trove
The various community Newspapers
NZ Herald
The Rugby League Week
Big League
E.E Christensen's Rugby League Year Books
Perth Advertising
West Coast Rugby League Magazine
Channel 7, Channel 9,Channel 10, ABC. SBS, NITV
Local Media Services
PRVVideo - the web designers
The Authors of various publications who are many but where possible are acknowledged within the transcripts.
The various photographers of the game, who are many but where possible are acknowledged.