TOPIC:

Very sad news that 1972 premiership player Kenny Deards passed away earlier this week from motor neurone disease.
I only saw Ken play a few times, but one of them was that memorable day on September 30 almost 50 years ago.
Condolences to Ken's family and may he Rest In Peace.

That is very sad news to hear AD.
A mighty fine player for the club. From memory for 7 or 8 seasons and mainly positioned in the backline.
Heard a story of Ken also having a short stint playing in the SANFL after his east perth days.

You're spot on about the SANFL, WAG.
I think Kenny Deards went to West Adelaide at the same time as Johnny Hayes (1975) and then crossed to Woodville.

Fair enough AD.
Deards is lucky to have played in what is often described as the Wafl's golden era. And played along side Hayes in that formidable backline.East Perth having some famous names at the time. Would also have played in the same time-frame as Ken McAullay (one of the best full backs), Brown, Pitter, I think Tierney still playing then, Michalcyzk and could easily add more well known team mates that took to the field when Deards played.

You're right about 1972 being in the midst of the WAFL's golden era, WAG
All the players you mentioned were in the Royals' 1972 premiership team, finally ending the 1960-71 grand final curse (seven losses),
It was the last East Perth game for a couple of them, with Phil Tierney retiring and Richard Michalczyk briefly moving to West Adelaide en route to North Melbourne.
 

westaussieguy wrote:

Fair enough AD.
Deards is lucky to have played in what is often described as the Wafl's golden era. And played along side Hayes in that formidable backline.East Perth having some famous names at the time. Would also have played in the same time-frame as Ken McAullay (one of the best full backs), Brown, Pitter, I think Tierney still playing then, Michalcyzk and could easily add more well known team mates that took to the field when Deards played.

it was a great backline with gary malarkey at full back and with the 3 m's on the half back line.mcaulley, richard michalczyk, and gary martin.michalzyk was  the centre half back and mcaulley played half back flank which was one of the few years he didn't play as a key position defender. bar the state games were he won  a tassie medal for the 1972 carnival.

Sad news.

Meet Kenny when he was running the Onslow Hotel and then later when he had the Hammy Hill.