{xtypo_dropcap}T{/xtypo_dropcap}he Lower South West Football League has been a consistent source of talent for the Royals over the years. Players of the ilk of Bob Graham, Ray Giblett, Charlie Walker, Gary Bygraves, Vic Peos, Rod Wheatley, Anthony Stubberfield, Karl Skraha, Heath East, George Giannakis, Paul Peos, Tim Lyster, and Craig Glancy were notable recruits from the area.

They play the game tough down there, and that quality has been a consistent trait with those who hail from timber country. None exemplified this more than George Giannakis.

Giannakis played a hundred and fifty three games for East Perth, the first century of those in succession, and was a dedicated and tenacious on field leader in what was a lean period for the club. Plenty of more talented players than Giannakis have worn the blue and black but none have been more team oriented and loyal. It was said that George was the “barometer” at the Royals during his career; he was that influential and inspirational a player.

This was reflected in FD Book Medal voting for fairest and best.

Giannakis was in the top three of the award each season from 1985(his debut year) to 1990, winning in 1987 and 89, was runner up in 1986 and 1990, and third in 1985.

The pattern was the same in his junior years at Manjimup, where he won eight fairest and best trophies in a row as he progressed through the age groups, always playing a year younger than most of the others. As a sixteen year old he was a rover for Manjimup Imperials League side when they defeated Deanmill in the 1983 LSWFL grand final.

It didn’t take long for East Perth to take note, and in due course the youngster received a visit from Trevor Nisbet and Angelo Delborello. Playing Teal Cup in 1984 with, among others, Craig Starcevich, Darren Bewick, Greg Walker, Danny Penny, Allan Cransberg, Brad McDougall, and Chris Lewis, in a side that were beaten in the final by Victoria(with, among others, Steve Silvagni, Ross Lyon, Mark Bayes, Tim Gleeson, and Ron McKeown.)

George confesses to recalling little of the game, being knocked unconscious just after half time.

Giannakis made his league debut for East Perth in round three of 1985, at home against Swan Districts. Playing in the centre on Kevin Taylor he did well, and was named among the club’s best players in a game Swans won by seven points in front of a crowd of 8,827. The new recruit was a shining light in a heavy loss to East Fremantle, then a closer defeat at the hands of West Perth, before coming up against Subiaco.

When Giannakis got best on ground vote playing on star centreman Peter Featherby the football world sat up and took notice. Hard at the ball, with reliable disposal and always the team player, he continued to impress, and despite missing the first two games of the year, finished third in FD Book Medal voting. In his annual report, East Perth President, Allan Delaney, stated: “For football, 1986 was the year of living dangerously. It saw a beginning which will alter football forever.”

East Perth lost Craig Starcevich, Michael Christian,Steve Da Rui, and Richard Dennis, while Alex Ischenko, Glen Bartlett, Paul Peos, David Bain had signed with West Coast. These losses were catastrophic to a club that was in the bottom half in 1986.

Meanwhile, Giannakis was also in limbo.

“The Eagles had informed me that I was in their squad, but two days before the deadline changed their mind,” he said. “St Kilda, Carlton, Sydney, and Fitzroy were all in touch, with Ken Sheldon and Peter Hudson flying over for a chat, as they were looking for a mature midfielder type. Sheldon rang the night before the draft advising me I was their number one pick, this commencing in the later draft rounds due to some pre-draft player selection.”{xtypo_quote_left} His contribution and loyalty to the blue and black stamps him as one of the Royals favourite sons...{/xtypo_quote_left}

Because of a quota restriction on West Australian players, St Kilda were unable to draft George, and picked up ex-Brownlow Medalist Brian Wilson at pick 72.

Many a commentator would argue that Giannakis was extremely unlucky not to have had the opportunity to play at the next level given his consistency of high performance when other less credentialed players were given their chance.

Vice captain in 1987, Giannakis was the guiding light for the depleted Royals, winning the FD Book Medal, a feat he was to repeat in 1989, the year his consistent efforts for East Perth were rewarded at State level, with selection in a Western Australian team to play South Australia in Vancouver, Canada.

“That was an experience and a triumph for us,” he recalled. “The South Australians had an open slather to choose from, not being part of the AFL at the time, and they treated our virtual second level blokes with arrogance. While we were focused on the game, training three times a day, they were having a ball. It was satisfying to say the least when we ran out seven point winners.”

In 1991 East Perth made the elimination final in what was then a final five, and lost to Perth by seven points. State opportunities were hard to come by for local players in the era of State Of Origin, but Giannakis was robbed in 1991. “I was told by a good source that I was in the side to play South Australia,” he said. “The next game I got hit for six, received head injuries, and wasn’t considered. The bloke who hit me got six weeks.”

George wore a helmet for a while afterward, and it fell off in a game against East Fremantle. “Neil Lester-Smith picked the helmet up and threw it over the fence,” he laughed.

Two more finals appearances followed in 1992, when they were victors over Subiaco by eighty five points, beat Swan Districts in the first semi final, but lost a close one to East Fremantle by four points in the preliminary final. “It was three years after Lester-Smith chucked my helmet into the crowd.When his boot fell off I couldn’t resist the opportunity to repay the favour so I hurled the leather into the crowd.”

Giannakis’s in and under style of play began to take it’s toll, and he played his final three seasons with the aid of anti inflammatory’s and injections. Finally, a hamstring problem at the end of the 1993 season brought about his retirement. “At the age of twenty seven I felt I had a few years left, and did some pre season in 1994, but it wasn’t going well so I decided to bow out,” he said.

George was appointed playing coach of Wongan Hills, and took the club to a grand final, but the premiership drought he experienced at East Perth continued when they lost, and it was dejavu at Northam Federals, where he coached for two seasons and made a grand final.

George has carved out a successful professional career with several senior Finance/Accounting roles and is currently Group Finance Manager for a national manufacturing company .These days he coaches his twelve year old, Christian. Also involved with the juniors is former West Perth centreman Peter Menaglio. George and Sophie Giannakis have a daughter, Lauren, and they enjoy travelling and dining with family and friends. George runs to keep fit, and from reports looks like he is still in playing condition.

South Fremantle’s(and later Geelong’s) Mark Bairstow, East Fremantle centreman Murray Wrensted, and Peter Featherby, the Subiaco champ, are George’s picks as hardest to beat, while top players he played with were Lucio Baroni, Peter Miller, Peter Spencer, Craig Starcevich, and David Bain.

East Perth have been blessed with many stars, some out and out champions, and a plethora of great players who contributed to the club’s many on field successes. But none exemplified the Royals fighting spirit more than the courageous five foot eight George Giannakis, who played in an era of struggle. His contribution and loyalty to the blue and black stamps him as one of the Royals favourite sons.