Peter Troode, a Premiership Player, State representative, League Umpire and Football Administrator, was forced to give up playing football at the age of 15.The lightly built Troode had come under South Fremantle's notice in 1962, when as a 14 year old, they played him in their thirds (under 21's) team. In the days of the “Form Four”, when one game would tie a player to a league club, South Fremantle offered Peter forty pounds ($80) to assist in his year 11 and 12 education at John Curtin High School. "We weren't well off and the thrill of being asked to play for South, with the bonus of helping to further my education was something I have never forgotten". Troode's football ambitions received a severe jolt in 1963 when he was knocked out in an inter-school game playing for John Curtin High School. He spent a night in Fremantle Hospital but soon after developed a brain haemorrhage. On a specialist's advice, he gave up football and took on umpiring, thoroughly enjoying the challenge where he developed a new ambition to umpire at League level. "I recall going to South Fremantle matches and hoping to watch and emulate the late Ray Montgomery" he said. “Umpiring in those early years enhanced my knowledge of the game and a respect for umpires. The fact that I read the Laws of the Game was a tremendous advantage in my later years when I went back to playing football.  Umpiring had a maturing influence as a teenager, especially in the areas of fair play, control, conflict resolution and decision making.”Four years on, Troode reignited the spark to play football again after watching a scratch match between Subiaco and St Kilda at Subiaco Oval. "That day a remarkable, tall and skinny, player from St Kilda named Ian Cooper was the best on ground. I had always considered I was too light to play League football, but after seeing Ian play, I recall thinking at the time that if he can play League football, then I could too. Cooper was the inspiration for me to pull the boots back on again,” he said.So in 1967, Troode fronted up to preseason training at South and quickly progressed through to the then Fourths, Thirds, and Reserves competitions. Then after South had won the League First Semi Final, he played in a Reserves practice match against the League side on the next weekend of the Second Semi Final. Lining up at full forward Troode notched up four goals playing on State full back Colin Beard, contributing to a surprise win for the Reserves team. The following week he made his league debut in the Preliminary Final against East Perth. In an anti climax to the press story his inclusion had generated, he was named on the bench with Brian Ciccotosto, playing in the last ten minutes of the game, won by East Perth. The following year in 1968 under Coach John Todd, he played eleven league games, mainly as a half forward and in 1969 under Coach Hassa Mann, the slim 6 ft 1inch (185cm) footballer and weighing just 11 stone 1 pound (70 kg) was moved to the wing.  It was the new era of tall wingmen emanating from the VFL competition and Hassa was keen to utilise Peter's height, speed, high marking ability, accurate and penetrating left foot kick, in the midfield. The following year he helped South dominate the centre line in the successful 1970 premiership side.In 1972, after three seasons of consistency on the wing, Troode's career received a minor setback under his third coach Mal Atwell, who had brought new philosophies to the club. His build wasn't of the Atwell mould, and it was clear that he wasn't the favourite son. However it was Peter’s love of the Club, its supporters and a determination to prove the coach wrong, that inspired him to keep performing well in those early Reserves’ games. His persistence was rewarded when he was selected to play at full forward in the final three games of the season, bagging five, seven, and eight goals. “Fortunately, I knew how to play full forward,” Peter said. “In my junior Rockingham under 16's days, I had a fantastic father figure Coach in Arthur (Bull) Retell, a former eighty game player with South. Besides teaching me how to lead and play my position, he was a life skills’ mentor who had also encouraged me to take on umpiring, presenting me with a Law Book and a new ‘Acme Thunderer’ whistle”.  “Thankfully too, I had a fairly good leap and to play in the No 9 red and white jumper that my idol John Gerovich had worn, was an absolute honour”. Peter's natural Gero type marks saw him carry on the tradition of the famous high marking No 9 and acknowledgement of his marking skills saw him awarded the Channel 7 Mark of the Year in 1970. Serious bouts of concussion followed Troode's short career which led to donning a helmet in 1971. “My first helmet was made of fibre glass and weighed two and a half pounds (1.1Kg) and it would constantly fall off with physical contact. It copped a bit of criticism from other clubs and rightly so. The next one was more successful, much lighter and it stayed on. It was made of moulded nylon with upholstered padding on the outside. It was held on by pressure but resulted in constant pins and needles to my head. It wasn't comfortable to wear and when I look back, I think I would have been better off not to wear it,” he laughed.1973 saw him play every game at full forward, beginning the year like a man on a mission. In a pre season scratch match in Adelaide, he booted 8 goals against South Adelaide, and in early WANFL games continued on kicking 10.1 and 6.2 against Subiaco and Perth respectively. Selected for the State side that year, he debuted against Victoria on the new Waverley ground, lining up on a half forward flank with Claremont's Geoff Blethyn at full forward. He had little recollection of the loss, having been rendered unconscious again in a clash with ruckman Gary Dempsey early in the first quarter. The match against South Australia later in the year saw him at full forward playing on All Australian Fullback Bob Hammond, kicking three goals on a blustery wet day, helping WA to a win. He recalls "it was Malcolm Blight's first game for South Australia and coming off the bench in the last quarter he nearly got them over the line."The last game of the 1973 season was the final wake up call for Troode, receiving another bout of concussion. “I went up for a mark, fell heavily to the ground, and was unable to move my body,” he recalled. “My specialist advised me to quit or I could be in a wheelchair or worse, so I had no choice. It was a great disappointment at the time and with only 94 games played, I thought I was only just starting to repay my club and it's supporters”."I had always planned to take on the umpiring after my playing career so it made my decision a little easier to accept", Peter said. He spent the next ten years on the WANFL Umpires Panel under Coaches Ray Sleeth, Ray Scott and Ross Capes, retiring in 1982 at the age of 35.  Later he accepted the position of Umpires Development Manager with the West Australian Football Commission, a role that he thoroughly enjoyed. "It was a new full time position at the Commission and working with General Manager of Umpiring David Johnson and all the other dedicated Football Staff, was a great experience" he said. As a former umpire, Peter has mixed feelings about the way the game is currently umpired. “Over the years, the game has been allowed to develop into an intimidating, unchecked player scragging spectacle. Yes our game is a body contact sport, but only when the ball is within 5 metres from an opponent.  The introduction of the two and later three umpire system certainly improved positioning and decision making, but it did not address or stop behind the play or off the ball incidents as it was intended."  "However I was encouraged to see the AFL addressing marking interference or the ‘hands in the back’ free kick and despite initial criticism, is now accepted, however we still have a long way to go with the pushing, blocking, bumping and holding of an opposition player when the football is more than five metres away from an opposition player or when it is out of play or if interference occurs prior to the commencement of the game or a quarter.” “The off the ball offences should be penalised, soft or otherwise. It would quickly stop the intimidation, frustration and scragging of players and stamp out the childish ‘showing of strength’ performances, resulting in reducing melees, reportable offences, suspensions and fines.”  "We have the means to address this under Law 15.4.5, which refers to prohibited contact and payment of a free kick, but sections of it are being totally disregarded at the AFL level. Section (e) of this Law is just one example”. “As a consequence, the inaction of applying the Laws at the highest level, is passed on down the line, affecting our State, Community and Junior competitions, including spectator and commentator uncertainty”. “After all, the Purpose of our game, as described in the Laws, is to ensure the game is played in a fair manner and spirit of true sportsmanship and to prevent injuries to players, an aspiration most participants, spectators and parents would expect from all sports and be endorsed by their controlling bodies.” Peter only played one game on East Perth's half back Don Rintoul, but rated him as a worthy opponent with his hook or by crook defensive attitude of doing everything in his power to stop him playing the game.  When asked about the best he'd played with, he said he rated "all the players in the 1970 premiership team.”  These days, Peter Troode enjoys a new found challenge.After holidaying and discovering Tasmania in 2005, Peter and Dianne contemplated buying a holiday home over there. "Out of the blue we saw this charming B&B for sale on the Internet, we looked at each other and said, “why not?” and here we are in this delightful country town of St Marys,” Peter laughed.  “And as if to clinch the deal, there's a golf course and Sports Centre over the road,” he added.So if anyone plans on touring Tasmania and is looking for cosy 4 star accommodation in their travels, with a bit of footy reminiscing thrown in, give Peter and Dianne a call at Addlestone House Bed and Breakfast, St Marys. They are both actively involved in several local community and volunteer organisations and Peter is an avid photographer. With the diverse beauty and wilderness of Tasmania on his doorstep, he has a perfect canvass for his passion. He is still a member at South and with his son-in-law Jason Burton involved for some years as Football Manager; he keeps well in touch with the game, but as a Volunteer Ambulance Officer Peter is now in a different game with another vital role.  Peter Troode's football career had a late beginning and a premature ending; nevertheless it was a rewarding one with a Premiership and State Football representation behind him. However his 26 year contribution to West Australian football, including 7 years as a player, 10 years as an umpire and 9 years as Umpiring Development Manager for the State, should be acknowledged and applauded.