Tony Sangalli had a short career by today's standards, playing just seventy one times for Swan Districts between 1959 and 1961. But he did experience the frustrating low of the wooden spoon in 1960 followed by the exhilarating high of the 1961 premiership.  “It was an amazing time, playing with that team of sixty one,” he said. “ The mateships that were formed then that are just as strong today is one of the highlights of my life.”  A five foot ten midfielder and rover, Sangalli was a hard running player, with accurate disposal, and a good team man. After joining Swans from the Guildford juniors, he was included in the league squad in 1959 by coach Percy Johnson. He had a good grounding at Guildford. “Stan Moses was a great coach of juniors,” Tony recalled. “He understood the kids under him, and was understanding of the problems they faced at a time when a lot of kids of that age were out making a living.” The presence of Bunton and Walker made it a hard job for a rover to win a place in the Swans side in 61, yet Sangalli was a regular member during his time at the club. His retirement at the young age of twenty three was a surprise to the club, teammates, and supporters. “I had a wife and child, there wasn't much money in the game then, and I had to make a crust,” was his explanation.  He recalled the tough players Swan Districts had those days. “Tommy Robbins, the Subiaco wingman, gave the wrong bloke a touch up in the centre one day at Bassendean. Fred Castledine wasn't one to forgive and forget, and this day was no exception. He bided his time until an opportunity presented itself in front of the grandstand as the ball was heading for the boundary umpire. Tommy ended up over the fence in the laps of cheering Swans fans.”  With wife Marlene, Tony started a nursery and trained pacers after hanging up the boots. “We had a few good horses, Majestic Scott and Napoleon being the best,” he said. He reckoned that Fred Hough and Allan Woodworth were the pick of the drivers he's seen, and rated Mount Eden as the best horse. “I was at the park when Jack Miles walked up to me and asked if I would take his new horse out for a run. “Nobody's seen this one yet,” Jack told me. I took him out, gave another horse half a lap start, and nearly caught him. I said to Jack: “Dunno what you've got here, but it's really something.” And that was an understatement. Tony went on: “The night of the celebrated win over No Dill, driven by Georgie James, when, after losing  a hundred yards at the start, Mount Eden was passed on the turn by No Dill, and James shouted as he sailed past : “Seeya in the showers, Jack,” I was sitting right behind Jack's cart, and saw him come back and pass Georgie in the straight.”   “The horse was a freak.”     Tony regarded East Fremantle champ Ray Sorrell and Claremont star Kevin Clune as the hardest to beat, while unable to split any of the Sixty One Swan Districts side as best he'd played with.  Football and hard work have taken it's toll on Tony. His back isn't the best, and he finds it tough to get around. But he's contented with his life these days, enjoying he and Marlene's two boys and three girls and their families, with twelve grandchildren to keep up with.  Listening to Tony Sangalli reminisce about his football days and the horses he has seen and driven, one senses that the good memories and friendships formed in those days have been worth it, give or take a crook back.