2021 Match Ball Legend

It is with great pleasure that the East Fremantle Football Club announces Ray ‘Oscar’ Howard as the Legend on the Match Ball for 2021.

The WAFL Match Ball initiative began in 2000, giving each club the opportunity to produce a special ball for their home games. Every year a player who is considered to have made a significant contribution to the club is placed on the ball.

‘Oscar’ as he was affectionately known, has been recognised for his outstanding service to the East Fremantle Football Club both on and off the field. Playing from a young age, he was just 13 when he represented Western Australian in the 1950 State School Boys Carnival in Hobart.

Oscar was a dashing rover who could weave his way through most packs. He always had a great rapport with his ruckman and was an accurate reader of the play, allowing him to be in the right position at the right time.

His snap goal in the last minutes of the 1957 Preliminary Final to take the club he loved into the Grand Final and the Premiership, were and still are, part of the “Oscar Story.” 

His dedication to the club saw him spend a great deal of time in a variety of coaching and management roles.  During his years on the Board he was involved in Recruiting, Zone, Match and Social Committees as well as his work supporting the Colts teams.

Ray ‘Oscar’ Howard

Playing Career:                  1955 – 1964

Games:                                157

Premierships:                    1957

Captain:                               1960

Life Member:                    1969

Director:                              1986 – 2002

Vice President:                 1991 – 1999

State Representative:    4 games

WAFL Life Member:        2002