TOPIC:

New inductees into the South Fremantle Hall of Fame Wally Matera and Stan Magro



Stan Magro was just 15 when he walked from his house in South Terrace to play his first game for South Fremantle and become the second-youngest league player in WAFL history.



Wally Matera was two years older, but still “a skinny 10-stone kid” when he made the long and life-changing journey from Wagin to Fremantle Oval.



Both players used that early start to establish substantial careers that took them on to the national stage and made them household names around the country.



And both will be back at Fremantle Oval on Saturday night when they are inducted into South Fremantle’s hall of fame.



“It’s a great honour,” Matera said. “I came up here as a skinny 10-stone kid who people would laugh at for being so small.



“They never thought I would go on to make it. But I did.”



The eldest of three brothers to play at the highest level, Wally would precede Peter and Phil into the South Fremantle and West Coast teams, while his two sons Brandon (Gold Coast) and Bailey (South Fremantle) are making their own mark.



Magro, who is second only to 14-year-old prodigy Stan Hussey, in 1891, as the youngest man in WAFL ranks, became a fearsome defender in 221 matches for the Bulldogs, Collingwood and East Perth and then had 11 seasons as coach at South Fremantle, East Perth and Perth.



“At 15 I was probably bigger than what I am now,” he said of his league call-up in 1970.



“I matured early. I am part Italian so that’s probably why.



“I was lucky that year. They had a couple of injuries so I got an early call-up. I had played against men at North Fremantle so I was not overawed, but I only played a couple of games then went back and won a premiership with the colts.”



The pair will be among 35 players and officials added to the hall of fame.



Matera grew up a West Perth fan, but said he became a lifelong Bulldog when he first drove into Fremantle Oval in 1983.



“I came up as a colt, but I only played two games then played 17 in the reserves and played three league games at the end of ’83,” he said.



“I often wondered how I was going to get into the side because they had Noel Carter and Stephen Michael and the Riolis and Vigonas. I ended up roving with Willie Roe and we became a pretty good combination.”

Sandover medallists Steve Marsh, Stephen Michael and John Todd will be among eight players honoured as club legends for their “extraordinary contribution to the club in a playing capacity.

Spewing , the tickets sold out very quick and I missed out!

anchorman wrote: Also being inducted on Saturday night.I will be there with great pride.

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So you are related to Fred, Anchorman? I remember watching him as a young boy, he was a great player for Souths. A well deserved accolade.

mikeh wrote:

anchorman wrote: Also being inducted on Saturday night.I will be there with great pride.

You do not have permissions to access this page.

So you are related to Fred, Anchorman? I remember watching him as a young boy, he was a great player for Souths. A well deserved accolade.

A closer relation than one might think Mike, just quietly ...

South4eva wrote:

mikeh wrote:

anchorman wrote: Also being inducted on Saturday night.I will be there with great pride.

You do not have permissions to access this page.

So you are related to Fred, Anchorman? I remember watching him as a young boy, he was a great player for Souths. A well deserved accolade.

A closer relation than one might think Mike, just quietly ...

were/are you selling BMW's at Auto Classic 4eva?

BC wrote:

South4eva wrote:

mikeh wrote:

anchorman wrote: Also being inducted on Saturday night.I will be there with great pride.

You do not have permissions to access this page.

So you are related to Fred, Anchorman? I remember watching him as a young boy, he was a great player for Souths. A well deserved accolade.

A closer relation than one might think Mike, just quietly ...

were/are you selling BMW's at Auto Classic 4eva?

No not me mate, but I do know the fella ur referring to...drive a BM do u mate?

a few years ago..couldn't believe when I saw his name tag....nice guy to go with it too...

hope you have a great night Anchorman.....Ooos tells me great things about Fred when we catch up to watch some footy in Melbourne. Due to catch up with Ooos in August for a chat, few beers and a few games of footy ......can't wait!

I was over to watch the Freo v St Kilda with Oos and my brother last year, with them being Freo fans they were awfully pissed off that night....Freo had a fair few out, but you could tell within 10 mins they were gone......think we are over to watch the Freo v NM game and I'm taking my son to the Hawks v Port game.....

hopefully ex SF youngsters in Ah Chee and Shaw may get games......reckon Mason Shaw may be on his last legs at Port tho, mixture of injury and so so form has seen him play only in the SANFL.....reckon Freo may go after him next year as a replacement for Pav when he retires.....also can see Kersten on his way out at Geelong, tho depends what Hawkins does at the end of the year when he becomes a free agent......perhaps Freo may go after both....both players are talented just not found their way yet in the AFL.....

Looking forward to catching up with you both.