Bill Leuzzi enjoyed a fine seven years with Perth in the sixties, highlighted by a premiership in 1966.  Yet he was close to becoming a Cardie before even starting his league career at the Demons. An Osborne Park junior from the “cobbers”(under twelves) days through the age groups in the Metropolitan Juniors Competition, Bill lived only a couple of Ray Schofield drop kicks away from Leederville Oval and the normal process was for Ossie Park boys to graduate to the blue and red. However, it was Perth who came calling to the Leuzzi household, with not a flicker of interest from West Perth, and so it was that the young Bill Leuzzi went across the river to Lathlain.  He couldn’t quite settle in there at first. “All my mates were at West Perth so I reckoned I’d made a blue,” he said. So he applied for a clearance, which was quickly refused by Perth.  After training at Leederville, he eventually relented and resumed his career at the Demons, a decision he is grateful for today. Remembered as a tough, gritty back pocket player, Leuzzi played his first three years  at Perth as a centreman, ironically lining up on West Perth champ Don Marinko in his first league appearance.  Despite the abundance of star centremen around in the sixties: Sorrell, Todd, Amaranti, Clune, and Marinko for starters, Leuzzi was a solid performer for Perth in that period.   Not naturally gifted with blistering pace, Leuzzi was a centreman who gave his opponent little latitude.  He was able to counter the more brilliant players by close checking.  “I played juniors with Ray Gabelich and his motto was to concentrate on your first ten yards of pace, and that advice stood me in good stead throughout my career on some pretty slippery customers,” he said. Bill later went onto the half back line and eventually carved his niche as a specialist back pocket.   A mere five foot eight, Bill Leuzzi was a natural fit for the specialist defensive position, possessing the key element of all the best exponents of the back pocket,  the ability to read the play. He was able to bring some of his midfield skills to his backline game, backing his judgement and sparking off forward moves from deep in defence.    He told us of the time he had been out of the Perth side with a lingering injury.  “Ern Henfry(Perth Coach) would try suspect blokes out with a few sprints after the main training was finished and before team selection was done,” Bill related. “He pitted me against a pretty quick player in Bill Curtis.  Bill was real impressive and was well in front.  Towards the end he realized my situation and eased up for me to catch him.” “It was an expensive gesture by Bill because it convinced the selectors I was alright and I was picked………….in Bill’s spot”   Leuzzi captained Perth in 1965, subsequently relinquishing the captaincy when Mal Atwell was appointed captain coach the following year. After the 1966 premiership,  Leuzzi retired from league football and returned to Osborne Park, where he was appointed captain coach.  Success there was immediate, and the Osborne Park Saints were premiers in 1967, then played in another grand final in 1968, this time unsuccessful.  Back trouble forced Leuzzi out of the game after the 1968 season.   Leuzzi paid tribute to all the fine players he played against. “They all deserve a mention” he recalled.  But he did give a special wrap to John Todd, Ray Sorrell, and Kevin Clune.  As for teammates, he had a lot of worthy names but said that Cable stood out.   As with others of his vintage, Bill has strong views on the game today. “The rules plus television have spoilt the game” he said. “The player with the ball doesn’t get looked after.  There are too many loose players.  The umpiring is ordinary” Formerly a Production Manager with an insulation firm, Bill  is now retired.  “I can keep myself busy these days fishing, playing golf, watching the grandkids playing football, and all the family things,” he said.  A little bird informed us that Bill Leuzzi can still read the play pretty well on the golf course as well as the nineteenth hole.