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West Perth Football Club On-line Auction gets Key Cardie and Falcon supporters together.

Friday, November 8, 2019 - 1:46 PM

                                      

Lunch with Dennis Cometti was a sought-after auction item.

Russell Ellen the winner of the auction invited his team to meet with Dennis on Friday 1st November.
The luncheon was catered by Michelle Penniment, the owner of Aliment Café, who is an avid Falcons supporter.
The table of 8 were treated to a 3-course lunch, with beer and wine.
As with all football gathering this was a long lunch that brought together a combination of people who all still have the Cardinals and/or Falcons strongly embossed in their heart.
 
The guest of honor, Dennis Cometti, a Life Member of WPFC has just been inducted into the “Sports Australian Hall of Fame”.
Dennis played 38 games and was part of the 1969 premiership year and then Coached WPFC from 1982 – 84. Coached 3 Premierships with Maddington, one with Kelmscott. Dennis the Dion of one liner’s and a dry sense of humor entertained the table.
With a round table of introductions, starting from the left in order of the photo attached, we are pleased to share some of the discussion and people introductions.
Laurie Richards, the football nomad who played with West Perth 1966 - 1970, Fitzroy and then Woodville. Played in the 1979 Grand Final against East Perth, he came back again in 1978/79 and achieved total of 119 games with WPFC. Dennis talked about when he and Laurie both went to Mt Hawthorn high school. During kick to kick at lunch time no one would get a kick up Laurie’s end. Everyone refused to be jumped on and marked over, so it was Laurie one end and Dennis and the rest of the school the other end.
One of Dennis favorite sons that he enjoyed broadcasting was Gary O’Donnell. The Premiership player and Best & Fairest in 1993 for Essendon, Gary played 231 senior games for Essendon and is No 31 in the champions of Essendon. Gary life has been football, so many stories shared with his time as assistant coach at Brisbane for 6 years then at Essendon. Gary is managing the Simon Black Academy in Perth, he is still getting a kick with the Wembley vets.
Favorite of West Perth Terry Taylor, had 5 seasons at WPFC including the 1975 premiership. Played football at Wembley, then came back as chairman of selectors for the 1995 premiership team at West Perth with Darren Harris, also including Geoff Valentine. Terry is cousins with the famous Heal and Ditchburn football families.
Russell Ellen, Played Essendon, 6 years then moved to Perth in 1978 and played 5 years with West Perth and 108 games. Moved to playing coach of Wembley in 1984 and he is still the reigning premiership coach of Wembley A Grade Amateurs.
Our VIP at the table was Geoff Valentine our current league coach. Geoff played wing with West Perth in the 1995 Premiership team, he followed Darren Harris to Wodonga Raiders, they both came back to coach West Perth, winning another premiership in 2003. Geoff football resume is extensive with coaching roles at Campbelltown, Swan Districts and Claremont. He also had football roles with North Melbourne, Carlton and Richmond. As the current coach of West Perth, we wish Geoff all the best of luck. We have a coach with the capabilities to take us to another premiership. He needs the board, the management and the supporters fully behind him and the team before he can be successful.
Rick Malone a lawyer born in Mt Hawthorn and also went to the same school as Dennis Cometti and Laurie Richards. Rick has been a vocal Cardies support at Leederville. However with the move away from Leederville, he is one of the many silent supporters. Rick has put his money and support into the Western Force.
The prominent person on the far right in the photo is Colin Webb a Wembley past player a West Perth supporter and the current President of the Wembley Athletic Club. Colin has been instrumental in setting up the new Wembley sports facility with the Cambridge Council in Floreat. This has been a tale of 15 years of work to move the football club from Henderson Park to Selby St Floreat.
The day was highlighted by the exchange of books, Dennis books:  “Back to the Place, Back to the Time”.  Currently selling for $85 on eBay, plus “The Game” and “Centimeter Perfect”. Russell Ellen self-published: My Journey to the “G”, which is currently available in the team store. Everyone received an autographed book.
 
The day was more than centimeter perfect, thank you to the generosity of our host Michelle Penniment.
We ask everyone to go and meet Michelle and drop in for a coffee in 170 Railway Parade, West Leederville. You can reserve a table on 08 9388 8163

 

 

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