The History of East Fremantle Football Club

Football in Western Australia was still finding its identity when East Fremantle Football Club was formed in 1898. The West Australian Football Association (WAFA) had been running since 1885, but the competition was still evolving. The game was tough, physical, and fiercely contested.

East Fremantle wasted no time making an impact. Led by Tom Wilson and David “Dolly” Christy (co-founders of the club), the club quickly set the standard for success. In 1900, just two years after its formation, they won their first premiership. A new force had arrived.

For the first few seasons, the club played at Fremantle Park, but with growing support and the need for a permanent home, plans were made for a new ground. In 1906, East Fremantle moved to East Fremantle Oval, located at Moss and Marmion Streets. The club marked the occasion with a dominant 80-point victory over North Fremantle in their first game at the venue.

For the first few seasons, the club played at various grounds, including Fremantle Park and North Fremantle Oval. In 1900, they moved to Fremantle Oval, sharing the ground with South Fremantle FC following their entry into the competition. In 1906, East Fremantle briefly experimented with playing at East Fremantle Oval, marking the occasion with an 80-point victory over North Fremantle. However, the move was short-lived, with the club playing just four games at the venue. The poor condition of the ground, lack of facilities, and public dissatisfaction led to the team returning permanently to Fremantle Oval in 1907, where they remained until their official move to East Fremantle Oval in 1953.

In 1907, the WAFA officially changed its name to the West Australian Football League (WAFL). Which, at the time, was a major transition. The competition was growing, the game was evolving, and the league was becoming more structured.

By this time, East Fremantle had become the powerhouse of the WAFL. The club won an incredible four consecutive premierships (1908-1911), setting a benchmark in the league. The fierce rivalry with South Fremantle was well underway, and the annual Fremantle Derby was already a highlight of the football calendar.

They were originally known as the “Blue & Whites”, with “Angels” sometimes added due to their graceful style of play. Later, they earned the name “Old Easts” to distinguish themselves from “Young Easts” (East Perth) when they entered the league in 1906. The war years halted football, but when the competition resumed, East Fremantle wasted no time reclaiming their spot at the top. Another premiership in 1918 reinforced their dominance.

Achievements & Key Facts

Premierships: 1900, 1902, 1903, 1904, 1906, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1914, 1918

Runners-up: 1899, 1901, 1905, 1907, 1912, 1916, 1917, 1919, 1920, 1921

Notable Players: Tom Wilson (legend), David “Dolly” Christy (legend), W.J. “Nipper” Truscott (legend), James “Scotty” Doig, Charles “Dick” Sweetman, John “Hooky” Doig, Charles Doig Sr., Harry Sharpe, and Archie Strang.

By the 1920s, football in Western Australia was growing stronger. The WAFL was competitive, fierce, and fuelled by passionate crowds. East Fremantle was already a powerhouse, but this era would cement their place as one of the most dominant clubs in Australian rules football.

At the start of the decade, East Perth was the team to beat, winning five consecutive premierships (1919-1923). But East Fremantle weren’t far behind. Under the leadership of John “Jerry” Dolan (captain and later coach), they broke through in 1925, defeating Subiaco in the Grand Final to reclaim their place at the top.

In 1927, the league underwent a major shift, again. To reflect the sport’s growing professionalism and national identity, the WAFL officially changed its name to the Western Australian National Football League (WANFL).

Then came dominance. From 1928 to 1931, East Fremantle won four straight premierships (again). No team could stop them. Dolan, now in the coach’s box, masterminded a ruthless, disciplined side. The club’s identity as “Old Easts” was firmly entrenched, and rivalries—especially with South Fremantle—grew fiercer than ever.

This was also the era of George Doig. He debuted in 1933 and would go on to become one of the greatest goal-kickers the game had ever seen. Doig was unstoppable. By the time his career was over, he had kicked over 1,000 goals, setting records that still stand today.

Then, war came again. World War II halted football in 1942, and when the league resumed, clubs struggled to rebuild. But East Fremantle weren’t just any club. They won the premiership in 1945, proving their resilience yet again.

And then, the perfect season. 1946. Undefeated. Under Jerry Dolan, East Fremantle won every single game—21 straight—before taking down West Perth in the Grand Final. No one could stop them. The team had built a 35-match winning streak, one of the most dominant periods in football history.

Achievements & Key Facts

Premierships: 1925, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1933, 1937, 1943, 1945, 1946

Runners-up: 1923, 1924, 1934, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1944

Sandover Medalists: Lin Richards (1931)

Notable Players: George Doig (legend), John “Jerry” Dolan (legend), Jack “Skinny” Baird, Dave Woods, Carlisle “Bub” Jarvis, Roy “Skeeter” McGlinn, Charles Doig Jr., Allan Ebbs, Don Gabrielson, Lin Richards, George Prince, Vic French, and Charlie Lundgren.

In the aftermath of World War II, the WANFL entered a new phase, with clubs rebuilding and football evolving into a faster and more structured game. The club continued to challenge for premierships, proving their strength through consistent finals appearances in 1954 and 1955, but the next flag would take time.

That breakthrough came in 1957, when East Fremantle returned to the top under captain-coach Jack Sheedy. In a hard-fought Grand Final against East Perth, the team secured a 10.18 (78) to 9.8 (62) victory, delivering another premiership to their already storied history. Sheedy’s leadership, both on and off the field, set a standard for toughness and tactical brilliance, influencing the club for years to come.

The club remained highly competitive through the 1960s, producing some of the finest talent in Western Australian football. Players like Jim Conway, Jack Clarke, Ray Sorrell, Norm Rogers, and David Hollins were among the stars of this era, with Clarke, Sorrell, and Hollins all earning Sandover Medals for their individual excellence. The team reached the ultimate prize again in 1965, adding another premiership to the cabinet.

Off the field, East Fremantle Oval underwent a major redevelopment in 1953, modernising facilities for players and supporters. This allowed East Fremantle FC to relocate from Fremantle Oval, officially making East Fremantle Oval their new home ground. The first official match at the venue was played on 25th April 1953, in Round 1 of the WANFL season, where East Fremantle defeated Claremont by two points, 7.18 (60) to 8.10 (58). The occasion was marked by an official opening ceremony, led by East Fremantle Mayor Bill Wauhop.

As football continued to grow in popularity, the introduction of television coverage in the 1960s further changed the landscape of the game. Football was faster, more tactical, and attracting larger audiences than ever before. While East Fremantle didn’t secure another premiership through the latter half of the decade, they remained a consistent finals contender, setting the foundation for future success.

Achievements & Key Facts

Premierships: 1957, 1965

Runners-up: 1954, 1955, 1958, 1962, 1963, 1964

Sandover Medalists: Jim Conway (1950), Jack Clarke (1957), Ray Sorrell (1961, 1963), and David Hollins (1971).

Notable Players: Jack Sheedy (legend), Jack “Stork” Clarke (legend), Merv Cowan (legend), Jim Conway, Keb Ebbs, Harold Jefferys, Bob Hicks, Ray “Oscar” Howard, Len Anderson, Norm Rogers, Ray Sorrell, Fred Lewis, Alan Preen, Trevor Sprigg, Graham Melrose, George Mavor, Doug Green, David Hollins, Ray French, and Percy Johnson.

In 1973, the club appointed John Todd as head coach. This decision led to East Fremantle returning to the top in 1974 with a hard-fought Grand Final victory over Perth FC. Todd quickly established a winning culture that would set the tone for the club’s future.

The 1979 season was particularly memorable, which went down in WAFL history. On 22 September 1979, East Fremantle faced off against South Fremantle in the Grand Final at Subiaco Oval. The match drew a record-breaking crowd of 52,781 spectators, which was the largest ever for a WAFL game at that time. In a thrilling contest, East Fremantle triumphed with a final score of 21.19 (145) to 16.16 (112), securing their 25th premiership. Kevin Taylor delivered an outstanding performance, kicking seven goals from the midfield and earning the Simpson Medal for best on ground.

In 1983, the club adopted the nickname “Sharks,” a name that has since become synonymous with East Fremantle FC and is still proudly used today.

The momentum continued into the 1980s, with East Fremantle capturing another premiership in 1985. This era was marked by the emergence of notable players such as Brian Peake, a dominant leader whose influence was felt across the competition. Peake won five consecutive Lynn Medals from 1976 to 1980, cementing himself as the club’s best and fairest player throughout that period while leading East Fremantle through one of its strongest eras.

In 1997, as part of the East Fremantle Football Club’s centenary celebrations, the club named its official Team of the Century, recognising the greatest players to have ever worn the blue and white.

Achievements & Key Facts

Premierships: 1974, 1979, 1985, 1992, 1994

Runners-up: 1977, 1984, 1986, 1997

Sandover Medalists: Graham Melrose (1974), Brian Peake (1977), Murray Wrensted (1985), and Craig Treleven (1995).

Notable Players: Brian Peake (legend), Doug Green, Graham Melrose, Chris Mainwaring, Tony Buhagiar, Michael Brennan, Con Regan, and John Todd.

East Fremantle Team of the Century (1997)

• B: George Mavor, Con Regan, and Michael Brennan
• HB: Doug Green, Carlisle “Bub” Jarvis, and Norm Rogers
• C: Ray Sorrell, W.J. “Nipper” Truscott, and Chris Mainwaring
• HF: Jack Sheedy (c), George Prince, and Alan Preen
• F: Vic French, George Doig, and Allan Ebbs
• Foll: Jack Clarke, Brian Peake (vc), and Jim Conway
• Int: Graham Melrose, Lin Richards, and David Hollins
• Coach: Jerry Dolan

After securing their 29th premiership in 1998, the club entered what would become its longest premiership drought. For a team built on success, this was uncharted territory. Wins became harder to come by, and the road back to the top was anything but easy.

The expansion of the Australian Football League (AFL) and the increasing prominence of national competitions presented new challenges for the club. These developments impacted attendance figures and financial stability, necessitating strategic adaptations to maintain competitiveness and relevance in a changing sports landscape.

In 2012, the club established its Hall of Fame to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contributions of individuals—players, coaches, administrators, and volunteers—who have significantly shaped the club’s rich history. The inaugural induction ceremony took place on 2 July 2012, during a memorable dinner at the club’s social hall, where 52 inductees were honoured for their exceptional service and achievements.

A monumental milestone during this period was the club’s active promotion of women’s football. In 2019, East Fremantle became a foundation member of the WAFL Women’s (WAFLW) competition. In the league’s inaugural season, the Sharks set the standard, dominating the competition and securing the first-ever WAFLW premiership. They defeated Swan Districts 8.5 (53) to 4.4 (28) in the grand final, delivering a statement performance.

With a focus on continuing to provide a world-class facility for players and supporters, the club embarked on a major redevelopment of East Fremantle Oval. Construction began in October 2022, with an investment of $32.5 million dedicated to transforming the historic ground into a modern sports and community hub. The redevelopment aimed to provide upgraded playing facilities, unisex change rooms, a commercial gym, and improved spectator areas. Additionally, the project included community-focused amenities such as a café, function rooms, and recreational spaces for local families and visitors.

Achievements & Key Facts

Premierships: 1998, 2019 (WAFLW)

Runners-up: 2000, 2012, 2022 (WAFLW)

Sandover Medalists: Adrian Bromage (1998), Rory O’Brien (2013), and Blaine Boekhorst (2022).

Dhara Kerr Medalists: Sharon Wong (2022).

Notable Players: Ben Cousins, Simon Black, Patrick Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Aaron Sandilands, Daniel Kerr, Harry Taylor, Brad Sheppard, Sharon Wong, Ashleigh Gomes, and Beth Beckett.

The period from 2023 onwards has been pivotal for the East Fremantle Football Club. After a 25-year premiership drought, the Sharks clinched the 2023 WAFL Grand Final, defeating Peel Thunder by 39 points at Optus Stadium. The final score was 12.13 (85) to 6.10 (46), with Milan Murdock earning the Simpson Medal for his outstanding performance.

In an equally significant achievement, the East Fremantle Women’s team secured the 2023 WAFLW Grand Final, overcoming Claremont with a final score of 4.2 (26) to 2.2 (14). Zippy Fish delivered a standout performance, amassing 26 disposals, three marks, and seven tackles, which earned her the Lou Knitter Medal for best on ground.

For the first time in the club’s history, both the WAFL team and WAFLW team won their respective premierships in the same year, making 2023 a historic and remarkable achievement for East Fremantle FC.

After three years of redevelopment, the East Fremantle Oval was completed in November 2024, marking the club’s return to their historic home at Moss Street. During this period, the team trained at various other locations, including the Cockburn ARC, as they awaited the completion of their upgraded facilities.

As the club looks ahead, East Fremantle FC remains focused on building upon its legacy of success. With a revitalised home ground, a strong foundation, and deep ties to its community, the Sharks are ready to continue shaping the future of WA football.

Achievements & Key Facts

Premierships: 2023, 2023 (WAFLW)

Runners-up: 2024 (WAFLW)