WEST PERTH LEGEND RECEIVES ULTIMATE FOOTBALL GONG

Bill Dempsey one of the West Perth Football Club’s favourite sons has been announced that he is to
be inducted into the prestigious AFL Hall of Fame to be held mid-year. Dempsey was present in
Melbourne at the 2022 AFL Season Launch where he was also honoured by being named as the
Ambassador for the Sir Doug Nicholls Indigenous Round for 2022.
The AFL Commission having approved his elevation earlier that day took the unusual step of officially

announcing this honour while he was present, much to the delight and surprise of Bill and his long-
time partner Jerryn who was also present.

In his time between 1960-1976 at West Perth, Dempsey played the second highest number of club
games (343) along with 14 state games for WA. He was WPFC Captain 1973-1976, the Breckler Medal
winner in 1966, and Simpson Medal winner in the Polly Farmer coached premiership side of 1969. A
three-time Premiership player (1969, 1971, 1975) he is a member of the WPFC Team of the Century
and AFL Indigenous Team of the Century as well as an inaugural inductee into the WA Football Hall of
Fame (2004).
Dempsey continues to be a regular attender at West Perth functions and games and recently launched
his highly successful biography with Steven Hawke (The Boy from Birdum). One of the most popular
players ever to play football in WA and the NT he is revered by West Perth former and current players
and fans.
Club President Dr Neale Fong commented, “There is no person who epitomises more the love and
loyalty for our great club than Bill Dempsey. His humility, modesty and humour has carried him into
the hearts of all football followers, not just West Perth fans for decades, and we are justifiably proud,
and chuffed for him and his extended families.”
After arriving from the Northern Territory to embark on his WA career he returned to play in the NTFL
where he won premierships with the Buffaloes in 1958/59, 1959/60, 1967/68.
He was awarded an MBE in June 1976 for services to sport, is a member of the NT Government Hall
of Champions (1976) and an AFLNT Hall of Fame legend.
Dempsey will receive his honour at an event to be held later in the AFL season and joins his fellow
teammate Mel Whinnen who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018.
West Perth will be hosting its inaugural Hall of Fame as its pinnacle gala event this year where
Dempsey will be an automatic walk-up.
Enquiries: Dr Neale Fong (President) or Joe McCarthy (CEO)
11 March 2022