Perham Calls Time

East Fremantle Football Club veteran, Jack Perham, announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2019 season to the Coaching and Playing group last week, after a career spanning 10 seasons and 121 games. 

Jack, a product of our strong Mid West zone, made his way down to Shark Park in 2008, playing 3 Colts games. Jack recalls he was likened to a young Nick Riewoldt. 

He joined the Senior program under Shane Woewodin in 2009 but struggled with injury and form. After a disappointing season and some strong feedback from the coach, Jack launched into the 2010 season with a point to prove. After a solid pre-season, he spent most of the year toiling away in the Reserves before getting an opportunity late in the season. He didn’t look back, kicking 6 goals in Round 22 before playing in the losing Elimination Final the following week. 

Jack was selected by Collingwood in the 2010 Draft. Living with two-time Sandover Medallist, Jye Bolton, he had a strong pre-season, kicking 6 goals in an intra-club match and playing 2 NAB Cup games against traditional rivals Carlton and Richmond.

“I had an amazing year in Melbourne and was grateful for the opportunity that Collingwood gave me. Though it didn’t pan out as I would’ve liked, I learnt a lot and it gave me a lot of belief,” Perham said.

Returning to the Sharks under a new coach, Steve Malaxos in 2012, Jack had a breakout season, playing 20 games and kicking 34 goals. But after a big clash with Tallan Ames in the Prelim Final where he was concussed, Jack was ruled out of the 2012 Grand Final. 

“Cost us any chance of winning the flag,” he recalls, tongue in cheek. 

Over the next seven seasons, Perham was a staple of the East Fremantle forward line. In his 121 games, he averaged 12.8 disposals, 5 marks and kicked 145 goals as a lead-up forward. 

Looking back on his career after his final and victorious League game against East Perth on the weekend, Jack was in a reflective mood. 

“I always wanted to do two things in my career; win a Premiership and play 100 games for the Sharks because I knew that would make my old man proud. I didn’t quite get that elusive flag, but we came close and I know he’s still very proud of me.”

It’s quite clear that Jack was a popular member of the playing group, with his Tuesday Taco nights a signature event. Conceding he’d miss the camaraderie amongst the players most of all, he runs through a few of his favourite teammates along the way;

“Lewis Fasolo, Mark McGough, Richard Hadley, Matthew Jupp, Selby Lee-Steer and Leith Teakle were all great teammates and friends. But for every one of them, there’s a group of others that are flat out strange: Justin Monaco, Alex Fasolo, James Harrold and Andrew Stephen come to mind."

“East Fremantle have helped build me into the man I am today. Different people throughout The Club have taught me many life skills that I’ll never forget and will always be thankful for.

The Club has strong coaches and support staff in place and I’m very confident success is just around the corner for this young and exciting group.”

The East Fremantle Football Club would like to thank Jack for his dedication, effort and sacrifice over the journey and wish him all the best in the future. Thank you, Jack!