1995 WPFC Celebrate 30 year Anniversery

WA Day this year, was chosen to celebrate the great year of the 1995 premiership.

This was West Perth first premiership since their move to Joondalup and their first Premiership since the amazing 1975 premiership already celebrated this year.

Selecting Leederville oval was not the reason.

Many significant football careers have been born out of the 1995 premiership team. This was the real reason that Monday 1^st June was chosen to celebrate the 1995, 30 year reunion.

So why? It was the players of 1995 who are still involved in coaching at the top level, names including:

Geoff Valentine, Todd Curley Fremantle Football Club

Steve Trewhella, Gavin Bell West Coast Eagles Football Club

Brett Raponi conducted excellent interviews of Brendan Barrow 100 games, Club Captain 1997/8. Todd Curley 148 games, Breckler Medallist 2005, Coach 2006 – 2008 and Life Member.

Darren Harris explained it all in his interview with Brett Raponi.

Jeff Gieschen recruited from Victoria in 1992, coming from Footscray via Wodonga was the reason WPFC won in 1995. “Jeff instilled a culture into the playing group and the club during his 3 years of coaching, which still exists today”, said Darren.

Darren said, “Jeff coached us to take the ball up the centre, with run and carry”. that is what we did every training night.

Darren was recruited by Jeff and went on to win the Simpson medal in the 1995 Grand Final. Geoff Valentine also came with Jeff, they were looked after by Team Manager Terry Hardie. Darren has further added to the West Perth trophy cabinet with coaching two premierships in 2003, 2022.

The 1995 year saw Jeff Gieschen move back to Victoria and John Dimmer appointed as coach. Subiaco was the dominate team with 19 wins, 2 loses compared to West Perth 13 wins 8 losses.

It was John Dimmer against Gary Buckenara.

Subi beat WP by 3 points with two rounds to go. They matched up again in the 2^nd semi with WP winning by a point. Jason Heatley kicks 10 goals, however Rob Malone kicks a point to win the game.

The big dance and Grand Final day, saw West Perth turn up to play. Paul Mifka moved to full back and kept Jason Heatley to one goal. While the goals were being stopped, Darren Harris starred with 40 possessions, 4 goals and the Simpson medal.