WAFC Life Member 2026 – Robert Wiley 

Robert Wiley’s remarkable contribution to WA football spans more than five decades.

A champion player with Perth and Richmond, a foundation member of the West Coast Eagles, WA representative, long-serving AFL Assistant coach, and a senior coach at WAFL and WAFLW level, his impact on the game in this state has been profound.

Wiley began his senior career with the Perth Football Club in 1974 and quickly established himself as one of the most talented players in WA.

Across 179 games for the Demons in two stints, Wiley played in two premierships (1976 and 1977) and holds the incredible distinction of winning a record eight Butcher Medals as Perth’s Fairest and Best Player.

Wiley also enjoyed great success in the VFL, playing 95 games for Richmond between 1979 and 1983, and was part of a premiership with the Tigers in 1980.

The highly skilled rover’s career continued to reach great heights when he rejoined Perth, earning All-Australian selection in 1984 and 1986, along with playing representative football for WA on 14 occasions and twice for Victoria.

In 1987, Wiley was an inaugural member of the West Coast Eagles, providing experience, leadership and professionalism which helped set standards for a fledgling club which would soon be a powerhouse.

The post-playing career of Wiley was also significant, coaching Perth between 1988 and 1989, before returning to the Eagles as an Assistant Coach for 16 years and contributing to premiership success in 1992,1994 and 2006.

He also coached East Fremantle and the West Coast Eagles in the WAFL, coached the WA Under 16’s team to a National Title in 2012, was a specialist coach at AFLW level with the Eagles, and most recently stepped in to coach Perth’s WAFLW program.

Wiley’s list of honours is an example of his standing in the game in WA.

An inaugural inductee of the West Australian Football Hall of Fame, Australian Football Hall of Fame Inductee, a Life Member of both the West Coast Eagles and the AFL, an inaugural member and Legend in Perth’s Hall of Fame, he was also honoured as the number one ticket holder for the Eagles in 2021 and 2022.

Wiley also is a Life Member of the Perth and Richmond Football Clubs.

With a lifetime of service and excellence as a player, captain, coach and mentor, Wiley is a deserving recipient of WAFC Life Membership.