IN MEMORY OF BRIAN SAMPSON & PETER O'DONOHUE

The West Perth Football Club was saddened to hear the news over the Christmas break of the loss of 1969 Premiership player Brian Sampson and former Captain Coach Peter O’Donohue.

Brian passed away on the 16^th of December 2012 in his native Melbourne. He will be best remembered for his able ruck work and his skillful forward play. Brian had played 100 games and won two Premierships with Essendon in 1962 and 1965 before arriving at West Perth in 1967.

He made his League debut in the first game of the season on the 8^th of April 1967. It was a winning debut against Claremont. He went on to play 50 games booting 29 goals between 1967 and 1969 before returning to Victoria. Brian played one state game for WA in 1968.

Peter was appointed Captain Coach for the 1953 and 1954 seasons. He was a former Captain of Hawthorn Football Club and came to West Perth as a replacement for Stan ‘Pops’ Heal who had just been elected to parliament.

Peter coached some great footballers at West Perth including Buttsworth, Don Marinko Jnr, Wally Price, Ray Schofield, Ray Scott and Eddie Wylde. Peter’s side won a record 18 games in 1953 (eventually losing the Grand Final to South Fremantle) and 15 in 1954 (eventually losing the Preliminary Final to South Fremantle).

Peter played 31 games kicking 21 goals before retiring from football and returning to Victoria.

West Perth remembers the great memories of a bygone era and extends our condolences to both the Sampson and O’Donohue families.