The Lally name has been synonymous with football in the Avon Valley for many years, and it was inevitable that some of the progeny would make their presence felt in the WANFL.East Fremantle supporters saw the first of them in the sixties, when Ken Lally booted seven goals in a preliminary final before being part of a losing grand final side, but it was his son, Steven, that went one step further and became part of an East Fremantle premiership almost three decades later.  The father-son connection with the blue and whites turned out to be a long and protracted journey for Steven, with stints at Perth and Central Districts before finally landing at Moss Street. “I always wanted to go to East, but the old man was five games short of fifty, which was the qualifying number for the father-son rule, and I was in Perth’s zone,” Steven said. Steven Lally was firmly in the Demon’s sights after playing seniors for Northam Railways at the age of sixteen, and shining in the club’s premiership win in 1984, with future media man Michael Thompson at centre half forward.  A visit from Mal Brown and Jack O’Dea convinced him to join the red and blacks.As quick as anyone on his day over the first ten metres and an accomplished kick both feet, especially near the goals, Lally played twelve games as partner to Rob Wiley in his first season of league football in 1986, and showed his goalkicking skills with five against South Fremantle in only his second game. Steven was to become a regular tormentor for the Bulldogs, with several large hauls of goals against them. He experienced the highs and lows of league football that year, which ended with a two week suspension for striking East Fremantle’s Chris Mainwaring in the second last game.The advent of the West Coast Eagles saw disruption on the local scene, with the recruitment of young stars to the new club, and some who missed out leaving to play interstate. Lally was unsuccessful in gaining a place with the Eagles squad, and subsequently received an offer from South Australian club, Central Districts. “I had ideas of going to Victoria, but decided on Centrals, who were coached by Kevin “Cowboy” Neale, with the intention of giving it one year,” he recalled. “The club missed out that season, and pulled out all stops during the off season to win that elusive flag, appointing Neil Kerley as coach, and recruiting well. I got caught up in the euphoria and stayed another two years.” Joined by a couple of other West Aussies in Derek Kickett and Gavin Chaplin(West Perth) and Mike Smith(Swan Districts), Lally enjoyed some good form while in Adelaide. Although they played finals football in 1988 and 89, Centrals premiership drought continued, with another eleven years passing by before they would emerge from hibernation to become the power they are today. Steven Lally returned to Perth in 1990, and enjoyed three good years with the Demons, with a leading goalkicker award and runner up for fairest and best, but at the end of the 1992 season, approaching his twenty ninth birthday, he decided to end his career at his father’s old club, East Fremantle, who were reigning premiers.Used more as a forward by East, Lally adjusted well to the new surroundings, kicking bags of seven in a Foundation Day Derby and eight against Subiaco. He realised his premiership dream in 1994, when the Sharks overwhelmed Claremont, contributing two goals in a twenty one point win. Retiring in 1997 at the age of thirty three, Steven became part of the under sixteens development team, while his acumen for kicking goals was put to good use by the club, who appointed him goalkicking coach. He is now coaching South Perth Juniors, where sons Luke and Joel are showing promise. Still a keen football follower, Lally’s third coffee during our chat must have been well laced with caffeine, because he made a confession.“Bob Uettenbroek, at the time secretary of East Fremantle, wondered how a row of seating found it’s way onto the centre square of East Fremantle Oval each year on grand final day,” he told us. “Well, here’s the story. Each year East made the grand final, myself and Justin Sanders would enjoy a night at the club on the Friday evening, and when we had finally had adequate refreshments, we’d grab a row of seats and sit in the middle of the ground facing the club. It became a ritual.”  The proprietor of  Lally Video in Como for many years, Steven is now a successful convert to the real estate profession, and partners well respected firm Ian Hutchinson Real Estate, who sponsor junior football as well as selling quality homes and land. He’s always happy to hear from footy fans, enjoys a yarn, and may even shout you a coffee.Darrel Hart and Andrew Jarman were Lally’s picks as hardest opponents, while Greg Smith(Centrals), Rob Wylie, and Ben Cousins best he played with. A late beginner by today’s standards, Steven Lally made his league debut as a twenty two year old and retired eleven years later, after fifty two appearances with both Perth and East Fremantle and fifty five at Central Districts. He made his mark at all three, both as elusive rover and canny goalsneak.