Our brightest stars: Avon Football Association

Western Australia has a proud history of developing elite football talent, with many of the game’s brightest stars beginning their careers at local junior football clubs right across the State.

In a series of articles highlighting the rich talent pool in WA over the years, Lenny Fogliani takes a closer look at the best current and former WAFL and AFL players to emerge from junior clubs in WA’s regions and districts.

This article focusses on junior clubs in the Avon Football Association.

To find your local junior club, please click here.

A number of great players have come from the Avon Football Association. Below are some of the most notable.

Photo: Darren Glass. AFL Media

AVON FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION

The Avon Football Association is an Australian Rules football competition in the Avon Valley region of Western Australia.

The League was formed in 1959 through the merger of the East Avon and the Avon Valley Football Associations.

There are currently eight teams in the Association – Beverley, Cunderdin, Kellerberrin-Tammin (formed in 1995 with the merger of both Kellerberrin and Tammin), Northam Federals, Northam Railways, Quairading and York.

Past Clubs included Brookton (who merged with Pingelly in the Upper Great Southern Football League in 1996), Meckering, Northam Towns, Northam Unions, Kellerberrin and Tammin.

To find your local junior club, please click here.

A number of great players have come from the Peel football region. Below are some of the most notable.

DALE KICKETT – KELLERBERRIN-TAMMIN

Originally from the Tammin Junior Football Club, Kickett forged an excellent football career. He played 181 AFL games across 13 seasons with five Clubs – Fitzroy, West Coast, St Kilda, Essendon and Fremantle. He played the bulk of his AFL career with Fremantle, playing 135 games (22nd most by a Docker) and kicking 24 goals. He won Fremantle’s Best and Fairest in 1997 and was named in the Fremantle 25 since 95 team. Kickett also played 82 games in the WAFL for Claremont. With the Tigers he played in three Premierships (1989, 1991, 1993), won two Simpson Medals (1991, 1993) and claimed the Tigers’ Best and Fairest in 1993.

LEON DAVIS – NORTHAM RAILWAYS FC

The man affectionately known as “Neon Leon” became a fan favourite of Collingwood supporters due to his silky skills and excellent evasive manoeuvres. Across 12 seasons, Davis played 225 games (19th most by a Magpie) and kicked 270 goals (17th most by a Magpie for the Pies. He won two All-Australian jumpers (2009: Forward Pocket/2011: Half-Back Flank), represented the Indigenous All-Stars team in 2003, was a member of the Dream Team in the 2008 Hall of Fame Tribute Match and won the 2008 Goal of the Year.

DARREN GLASS – NORTHAM RAILWAYS FC

The uncle of current Brisbane player Deven Robertson, Glass made a name for himself as one of the best full backs in the modern era. Across 15 seasons, Glass played 270 games (equal third most by an Eagle), 125 of which he captained (only John Worsfold has captained more games). He was a key member of West Coast’s 2006 Premiership, won three Best and Fairest (2007, 2009, 2011) and had a further six top-ten finishes in the Best and Fairest (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2013). He also won three All-Australian guernseys (2006, 2007, 2011, 2012) and won West Coast’s Rookie of the Year in 2000.

DREW BANFIELD – QUAIRADING

The 1992 number one draft pick went on to become one of West Coast’s all-time greats. Across 14 seasons, Banfield played 265 games (the fifth most by an Eagle) and kicked 76 goals. He had career averages of 16 possessions (6 contested), 3 marks, 2 inside 50s, and 2 clearances. He was a key member in both West Coast’s premiership triumphs in 2006 and 1994, won West Coast’s Best and Fairest in 1996, won two Ross Glendinning Medals (1997 and 2001), represented WA twice in State of Origin (1995 and 1996) and was named in Subiaco’s Team of the Century.

CHANCE BATEMAN – YORK

The man affectionately known as “Changa” went on to become a star for Hawthorn. Across 13 seasons, Bateman played 177 games for Hawthorn, kicked 67 goals and had career averages of 17 possessions, 4 marks and 3 inside 50s. He was a key player in Hawthorn’s premiership triumph over Geelong in 2008 with 17 possessions, 4 inside 50s and a goal. He was a member of the Indigenous All-Stars team in 2003, and the Australian squad in the 2006 International Rules Series.

List of Notable players to have originated from the Avon Football Association.

NAME

AVON CLUB

WAFL CLUB/S

VFL/AFL CLUB/S

Brad Edwards

Beverley FC

Perth Demons

Brisbane Bears

Fitzroy

Gerald Ugle

Beverley FC

Peel Thunder

Perth Demons

GWS Giants

Matthew Rogers

Cunderdin

Perth Demons

Swan Districts

–

Norman Cox

Kellerberrin-Tammin

South Fremantle

–

Scott Stevens

Kellerberrin-Tammin

Perth Demons

Adelaide

Andrew Taylor

Kellerberrin-Tammin

Claremont

Perth Demons

West Coast Eagles

Dale Kickett

Kellerberrin-Tammin

Claremont

Fitzroy

Fremantle

St Kilda

West Coast

Ian “Bobby” Hill

Northam Barons JFC

Perth Demons

GWS Giants

Dean Dick

Northam Federals FC

Perth Demons

Essendon

Dean Kent

Northam Federals FC

Perth Demons

Melbourne

St Kilda

Neil Martin

Northam Federals FC

Perth Demons

Swan Districts

–

Gordon Narrier

Northam Federals FC

Perth Demons

North Melbourne

Alistair Smith

Northam Federals FC

Perth Demons

St Kilda

Sydney Stack

Northam Federals FC

Perth Demons

Richmond

Leon Davis

Northam Railways FC

Perth Demons

Collingwood

Cruize Garlett

Northam Railways FC

Perth Demons

North Melbourne

Darren Glass

Northam Railways FC

Perth Demons

West Coast Eagles

Robert Haddrill

Northam Railways FC

Perth Demons

Fremantle

Cameron Kickett

Northam Railways FC

Perth Demons

–

Deven Robertson

Northam Saints JFC

Perth Demons

Brisbane Lions

Drew Banfield

Quairading FC

Subiaco

West Coast Eagles

Damon White

Quairading FC

Perth Demons

Port Adelaide

Chance Bateman

York Roos

Perth Demons

Hawthorn

Zac Fisher

York Roos

Perth Demons

Carlton

Marshall Jones

York Roos

Perth Demons

–

Marlion Pickett

York Roos

South Fremantle

Richmond