Our brightest stars: Swan Districts

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 Swan Districts’ metropolitan district.

To find your local junior club, please click here.

A number of great players have come from Swan Districts’ metropolitan district. Below are some of the most notable.

Photo: Michael Walters. AFL Photos

SWAN DISTRICTS

Swan Districts has long been regarded as an excellent junior football district for aspiring young footballers.

There are currently 19 junior clubs within the District – Aveley JFC, Bassendean JFC, Caversham JFC, Chidlow JFC, Chittering JFC, Darlington JFC, Forrestfield JFC, Gidgegannup JFC, Guildford JFC, High Wycombe JFC, Kalamunda JFC, Lesmurdie JFC, Mazenod JFC, Midvale JFC, Mt Helena JFC, Mundaring JFC, Parkerville JFC, Swan View JFC, and Upper Swan JFC.

A host of prominent WAFL and AFL footballers have come from junior clubs in Swan Districts’ metropolitan district. Below are some of the more notable players who have originated from this particular district.

ANDREW EMBLEY – BASSENDEAN JFC

The son of former Perth player Maurice Embley, Andrew Embley is one of West Coast’s all-time great players. Across 15 seasons, Embley played 250 AFL games (7th most by an Eagle) and kicked 216 goals (10th most by an Eagle). He is best remembered for his Norm Smith Medal winning performance in West Coast’s 2006 AFL Grand Final triumph over Sydney, with 27 possessions, 6 rebounding 50s, 4 inside 50s and 2 goals. Throughout his career Embley had six top-ten placings in his Club’s Best and Fairest (2003: 5th, 2004: 8th, 2008: 4th, 2009: 7th, 2010: 7th, 2011: 8th) and represented Australia in the 2004 International Rules Series. He is currently the Midfield Coach with West Coast’s AFLW team and is also working with Mix 94.5 doing AFL commentary.

ALEX RANCE – HIGH WYCOMBE JFC

The son of former Footscray, Swan Districts and West Coast player Murray Rance, Alex Rance is one of the greatest defenders of the modern era. Across 12 seasons, Rance played 200 games (26th most by a Tiger) and had career averages of 17 possessions (7 contested), 6 marks, and 3 rebounding 50s. Throughout his career, Rance won Richmond’s Best and Fairest (2015), had seven top-ten placings in the Best and Fairest (2011: 6th, 2012: 6th, 2013: 6th, 2014: 7th, 2016: 2nd, 2017: 2nd, 2018: 6th), won five All-Australian guernseys (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018) and six Best Clubman Awards (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019). He was Richmond’s Vice Captain in their premiership triumph over Adelaide in 2017, and was pivotal with 13 possessions (8 contested), 6 marks (3 contested), 3 tackles and 3 rebounding 50s.

SCOTT CUMMINGS – KALAMUNDA JFC

Known as “Cummo,” Scott Cummings was one of the powerful key forwards during the 1990s and the early 2000s. Across eight seasons, Cummings played 128 games (40 with Essendon, 37 with Port Adelaide, 46 with West Coast and 5 with Collingwood) and kicked 349 goals (83 with Essendon, 102 with Port Adelaide, 158 with West Coast, 6 with Collingwood). In 1999, he became West Coast’s first ever Coleman Medallist when he kicked 88 goals from 22 games. He also won Club Goalkicking Awards at Essendon (1994: 32 goals from 10 games) and Port Adelaide (1997: 70 goals from 21 games). He won the Glendinning-Allan Medal in 2000 when he finished with 16 possessions, 8 marks and 10 goals in a powerful performance against Fremantle. He represented Western Australia in State of Origin on three occasions (1996, 1997, 1998) and won the Graham Moss Medal in 1997, when he was adjudged to be the best player on the ground for WA.

NIC NAITANUI – MIDVALE JFC

Of Fijian heritage, Naitanui has gone on to become one of the game’s most exciting ruckmen. Across 11 seasons, he has played 167 games, kicked 102 goals and has career averages of 12 possessions (9 contested), 25 hit-outs, 4 tackles and 4 clearances. Throughout his career, Naitanui has four top-ten placings in his Club’s Best and Fairest (2010: 5th, 2011: 7th, 2014: 8th, 2015: 8th), won All-Australian selection (2012: ruckman), represented Australia in International Rules (2014), won West Coast’s Rookie of the Year Award (2010) and finished eighth in the 2010 NAB Rising Star Award.

MICHAEL WALTERS – MIDVALE JFC

The son of former Central Districts (SANFL) footballer Mike Walters, Walters has become one of Fremantle’s greatest players. In 12 seasons, he has played 152 games (17th most by a Docker) and has kicked 262 goals (2nd most by a Docker). Throughout his career, he has won five Club Leading Goalkicker Awards (2013: 46 goals, 2015: 44 goals, 2016: 36 goals, 2018: 22 goals, 2019: 40 goals), with only Matthew Pavlich winning more Goalkicking Awards with eight. Throughout his career, Walters has six top-ten placings in his Club’s Best and Fairest (2013: 9th, 2015: 5th, 2016: 3rd, 2017: 5th, 2018: 8th, 2019: 2nd). In 2019, he won All-Australian selection (forward pocket), won Life Membership at Fremantle, and was named in Fremantle’s “25 since 95” team (half-forward flank). In 2020, he represented the All Stars in the State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match.

STEPHEN CONIGLIO – UPPER SWAN JFC

The former WA State junior cricketer has become one of the game’s elite midfielders. Prior to the 2020 season, Coniglio was rated as GWS’ fifth-best player and second-best midfielder. Across nine seasons, Coniglio has played 134 AFL games (8th most by a Giant) and has kicked 80 goals (5th most by a Giant). Throughout his AFL career, Coniglio has two top-ten placings in his Club’s Best and Fairest (2016: 5th, 2018: 4th), won the 2019 Jim Stynes Community Leadership Award, two GWS Giants’ Community Awards (2014, 2019), the 2018 GWS Giants Coaches Award and represented the Allies in the 2020 State of Origin for Bushfire Relief Match. He is currently the Captain of the GWS Giants after serving as the Vice-Captain between 2017 and 2019. Prior to being drafted, Coniglio was a star for Swan Districts, winning the 2011 WAFL Rising Star Award and being a key player in Swan Districts’ 2010 premiership triumph over Claremont (17 possessions, 5 marks, 4 goals). He also won the Larke Medal, the WA U18s MVP Award and U18s All-Australian selection in 2011.

TONY NOTTE – UPPER SWAN JFC

Notte has become one of the Swan Districts’ best players in the modern era. Across 13 seasons, he has played 237 games (8th most by a Swan) and has kicked 185 goals (19th most by a Swan). In his career to date, Notte has won two Club Best and Fairest Awards (2013, 2018), four top-three placings in his Club’s Best and Fairest (2015: 3rd, 2016: 3rd, 2017: 2nd, 2019: 2nd) and has represented the WAFL in State games on six occasions (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019). He was also a member of Swan Districts’ 2007 Colts Premiership team.

List of notable players from the Swan Districts’ Junior Zone.

PLAYER

JUNIOR CLUB/S

WAFL CLUB/S

AFL CLUB/S

Andrew Embley

Bassendean JFC

Swan Districts

West Coast Eagles

Michael Embley

Bassendean JFC

Swan Districts

West Coast Eagles

Jesse Glass-McCasker

Bassendean JFC

Swan Districts

Carlton

Rory Lobb

Bassendean JFC

Swan Districts

Fremantle

GWS Giants

Luke Pratt

Bassendean JFC

Swan Districts

Fremantle

Garth Taylor

Bassendean JFC

Swan Districts

Fremantle

Richmond

Riley Garcia

Caversham JFC

Swan Districts

Western Bulldogs

Jake Pasini

Caversham JFC

Swan Districts

Port Adelaide

Matthew Taylor

Chittering JFC

Perth Demons

North Melbourne

Alex Rance

High Wycombe JFC

Swan Districts

Richmond

Dennis Armfield

Kalamunda JFC

Swan Districts

Carlton

Scott Cummings

Kalamunda JFC

Swan Districts

Collingwood

Essendon

Port Adelaide

West Coast Eagles

Luke Blackwell

Mazenod JFC

Claremont

Swan Districts

Carlton

Harry Edwards

Mazenod JFC

Swan Districts

West Coast Eagles

Jarrad Blight

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Collingwood

Yestin Eades

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Essendon

David Ellard

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Carlton

Nic Naitanui

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

West Coast Eagles

Michael Richardson

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Brisbane

Collingwood

Essendon

Stephen Richardson

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Essendon

Allan Sidebottom

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Fitzroy

St Kilda

Garry Sidebottom

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Fitzroy

Geelong

St Kilda

Michael Walters

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Fremantle

Chris Yarran

Midvale JFC

Swan Districts

Carlton

Richmond

Travis Casserly

Swan View JFC

Swan Districts

Richmond

Marcus Adams

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

West Perth

Brisbane Lions

Western Bulldogs

Todd Banfield

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

Brisbane Lions

Nathan Broad

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

Richmond

Stephen Coniglio

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

GWS Giants

Dayle Garlett

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

Hawthorn

Beau McDonald

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

Brisbane Lions

Murray Newman

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

West Coast Eagles

Tony Notte

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

West Coast Eagles

Samuel Taylor

Upper Swan JFC

Swan Districts

GWS Giants