JJ LEONARD NAMED LEGEND IN WA FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME

WEST Australian Football Hall of Fame inductee John James Leonard was tonight (Wednesday, July 15) elevated to ‘Legend’ status during the 2015 WA Football Hall of Fame induction at the State Reception Centre.

Leonard, who was inducted to the WA Football Hall of Fame in 2004, became the 16th ‘Legend’ along with Haydn Bunton Jnr, Barry Cable, George Doig, Graham ‘Polly’ Farmer, Stan ‘Pops’ Heal, Denis Marshall, Phil Matson, Merv McIntosh, Steve Marsh, George Moloney, Graham Moss, Jack Sheedy, John Todd, WJ ‘Nipper’ Truscott and Bill Walker.

Leonard’s daughter Margot Roberts accepted the honour on behalf of her father.

His elevation to ‘Legend’ status followed tonight’s induction of eight new WA Football Hall of Fame Members (full profiles are attached). 

John James LEONARD
Year Inducted: 2004
Date of Birth: 8th June 1903
PLAYER-COACH: 1922-46
GAMES: 183: Subiaco 146; South Melbourne 12; WA 25
PREMIERSHIPS: Player: Subiaco 1924; Coach: West Perth 1934 & 35, Claremont 1938, 39 & 40
HONOURS: Sandover Medal 1926 & 29; Subiaco fairest and best 1926-30; AFL Hall of Fame

John Leonard could legitimately have been nominated for the Hall of Fame by any one of three clubs.  The diminutive rover was one of the greatest players of the 1920’s before becoming one of the greatest coaches in the 1930’s and 1940’s.  He was captain-coach of South Melbourne in 1932 where he is credited with building the team which went on to win the 1933 premiership, the club’s last.  He coached West Perth for three seasons and won two premierships before securing a hat-trick at Claremont from 1938-40.  He coached his last season following World War II in 1946.

For more information on the WA Football Hall of Fame visit www.wafootballhalloffame.com.au