One of Subiaco's leading players of the early sixties, Mike Pethick, originally had no ambition of playing for the club. An Inglewood junior, in East Perth territory, until his family moved to City Beach when he was sixteen, Pethick had his heart set on joining the Royals, and seemed likely to, until the colts competition was set up, and he found that he was tied to Subiaco by virtue of the relocation to the Subiaco area.  “The East Perth players were all my heroes as a youngster,” he told us. “I ended up going to the Metropolitan Junior Competition instead of the colts.” Fortunately for the Maroons, Pethick relented, and he started on the bench for the Subiaco league side in the opening fixture of the 1959 season. In the eighteen the following week, Mike lined up on a half back flank. “I fancied myself as a centre half back, but because Kevin Merifield was firmly entrenched in that position, I told them I was a centre half forward,” he recalled. “The selectors knew better.” Pethick forged himself a permanent spot in the team in quick time, with his adaptability and team orientation qualities appreciated by coach Charlie Tyson. At six foot one and very mobile, he became a player for every problem, and was a prime mover in the side's irressistable push for a long awaited premiership that season. Winning both their semi and preliminary finals in hollow fashion, Subiaco met their match in a brilliant East Perth in the grand final.  It was to be a further fourteen year wait for the Maroons, although they made a bold bid in 1961, being beaten by Swan Districts in a close preliminary final. “We were a good side but just needed to be a bit better” was Mike's wry comment.  Pethick continued in good form, being selected in a State squad of twenty five in 1962, but due to work pressures, had to advise the selectors of his unavailability. Although preferring the half back flank, he enjoyed the different challenges swapping positions bought, but quipped: “It did become a bit daunting rucking against Jack Clarke and Blue Foley!” In 1963, Mike Pethick had a year away from football, with marriage being one of several distractions.  When he returned to Subiaco in 1964, the club had a new coach, ex Swans ruckman Keith Slater. It was another year of high hopes, but no glory, when they lost the  preliminary final to eventual premiers, Claremont.  After 130 games, Pethick retired from league football after the 1966 season, coaching the reserves in 1967-68-69, also serving on the Subiaco committee. A butcher by trade, he is now retired and “watching the girls go by at Scarborough.” Sons Jeremy and Richard played with Subiaco and Old Scotch(now Collegians) respectively. A keen golfer on a fifteen handicap at Cottesloe, he and wife Wendy enjoy a sojourn to their “place” at Broome whenever possible, and, a member of Fremantle Football Club, he gets to the games regularly. Mike regarded Jack Clarke(East Fremantle) as hardest to beat, and defender Ross Gosden as the best he'd played with.  Mike Pethick was one of those players every team likes to have: a team man who will play anywhere with aplomb and enjoys a challenge. Although unfortunately never achieving the premiership flag to top off a fine career, the name Mike Pethick is a well regarded one at Subiaco.