Anthony (Tony) Buhagiar

Player: 1973-1986 (East Fremantle 1973-80, 86, Essendon 1981-84, Footscray 1985 WA 1978-79,83) 

Games: 251 (East Fremantle 138, Essendon 83, Footscray 25, WA 5) 

Goals: 462 (East Fremantle 279, Essendon 135, Footscray 36, WA 12) 

Honours: East Fremantle premiership player 1974,1979; All-Australian 1979; 2nd East Fremantle Fairest & Best x 3 (1978-80); Essendon Best First Year Player 1981, VFL Grand Final 1983; East Fremantle Life Member (2006). 

Tony ‘Budgie’ Buhagiar was a diminutive rover with great pace and good goal sense, who enjoyed many highs and several setbacks during a superb 14-year career. 

Born and bred in East Fremantle, he grew up a kilometre from the Moss Street club he represented. 

Buhagiar’s footy journey began when he was spotted having a kick with his brothers by Don Gabrielson, coach of EF Junior Football Club Under 11’s. 

Nicknamed “Budgie” due to his stature, Buhagiar worked hard on his game and progressed through the grades to make his league debut in 1973 aged 17. 

He became an established member of the team in his second season and was roving partner to Graham Melrose in the 1974 premiership win over Perth.  

A series of injury setbacks saw Buhagiar play only nine games in 1975 and four in 1977. 

By 1978 his hard work in the gym was rewarded with 21 games, his first state game appearance and he finished runner up in the Lynn Medal count. 

1979 was his best year in football, playing every game as No.1 rover and being a key member of Old Easts Grand Final win over Derby rivals South Fremantle. 

At the end of the season he played in the victorious WA State of Origin Carnival team and was selected in the All-Australian team. 

Buhagiar was Lynn Medal runner up to Brian Peake for a third consecutive season in 1980 before joining Essendon under new coach Kevin Sheedy in 1981.  

The West Australian was an immediate success with Essendon, helping them emerge from a long period of mediocrity to become a finals force. 

He won the Best First Year player award in 1981, was the leading Essendon vote getter in the Brownlow Medal in 1982 and played in the losing Grand Final team in 1983. 

He became a fan favourite due to his tenacity and aggression, but injuries reduced his impact in 1984, and he was restricted to 14 games, leading to him missing selection in the Grand Final winning team. It was one of Kevin Sheedy’s toughest calls and saw Buhagiar move to Footscray in 1985. 

He had a solid year playing all 25 games but decided to return West for a final season with East Fremantle in 1986, with the club beaten Grand Finalists that season. 

After retirement, Buhagiar remained involved in football in an off-field capacity; he was a Director of the Fremantle Football Club for 10 years and was a long serving member of the club’s fund-raising coterie group, the Derby Club. 

He served as Patron of the Sharks after being awarded Life Membership and was also awarded Life Membership of the EFJFC.