Frank Bucknall always wanted to play for Subiaco.A creative player, and a reliable kick at goal, he kicked with both feet, and at just under six foot could play in a key position or on a flank.  His ambition looked unlikely to be realised when he couldn't crack a game in the under sixteens and seventeens. “I never accepted the fact I was unlikely to make it,” he said. With the help of a couple of very good junior coaches in Viv Dearle and Ray Snell, his persistence eventually paid off when he was named fairest and best for the WA Amateurs Colts competition, as a centreman, with players of the calibre of Simon Beasley and Mike Salmon among his rivals.  Bucknall's new found form attracted an approach from East Fremantle, but it was Subiaco for Frank, and he wandered into Subiaco Oval in 1976.  After a few reserves appearances, Bucknall made his league debut against Swan Districts, at Subiaco. “It was an interesting afternoon,” he said. “As I was doing a preliminary lap of the oval, I must have strayed too close to the fence, because I copped a blob of spit from a Swans fan on the way around,” he said. “I played on a half forward flank opposed to Stan Nowotny, and soon found myself pinned face down on the ground with the ball at the other end. “What was that all about?” I queried of Stan, and he replied: “Stopping you from getting the ball!” After two seasons spent mainly as a forward, Bucknall had a falling out with the coach, and went to Beverley in 1979 before returning to Wembley in 1980.  Brian Featherby arranged a meeting between Bucknall and Kevin Merifield with new coach Ken Armstrong at the end of the 1980 season, and Bucknall returned to the Maroons, showing some good form as a forward in 1982. Midway through the 1983 season, the players had a meeting at the home of Bill Valli, where they selected the side for the upcoming game. “I was in the team,” Frank said. “As the meeting broke up, I had a yarn with Tim Gepp, who asked me a hypothetical question about whether I would leave if offered more money. At the time, Tim was wrestling with an opportunity at Richmond, so I gathered it was advice he was searching for.” “I said I would have to look at it.” “Next day I got a phone call from the team captain advising me I was dropped from the side because I “lacked commitment.” With another player I transferred to West Perth.” Bucknall's attempt at forging a new career at the Cardinals was thwarted by injury, a hamstring forcing him to the sidelines. “It is hard to settle into a new club with injuries, another preseason and a loss of desire to play didn't help.” he said. Frank retired after only three games at West Perth. He wouldn't separate any of the players he played against. “They were all hard to beat, but Kenny Hunter from Claremont was the best mark I saw. He had a vice like grip.” “Jimmy Krakoeur was impossible to catch.” Peter Featherby was his selection as best player he had played with. “All of the guys from the early years were heroes I had worshipped growing up,” he said.  Bucknall recalled the match against South Fremantle, when Subiaco ruckman Peter Ellis was opposed to Stephen Michael. “Peter had an olive complexion from many hours on the beach, and I yelled to him, “over here, nigger” a few times before I realised Michael was angrily taking note of my presence.”“I said to Stephen, “not you, him.”  A newsagent for twenty years, Frank Bucknall is a newspaper deliverer these days, and enjoys it. He plays golf and social tennis, and has four boys, one of which, Nicholas, was on the Claremont Development Squad.  Frank Bucknall played forty six games with Subiaco, and kicked thirty six goals. In some lean years for the Subiaco Football Club, he was a handy half forward.