Ross Hutchinson

COACH: 1935-49

GAMES: 133: East Fremantle 94; South Fremantle 18; West Perth 16; WA 5

PREMIERSHIPS: East Fremantle captain-coach 1937; West Perth coach 1941;

HONOURS; East Fremantle fairest and best 1935-36; WA coach 1939;

Sir Ross Hutchinson was a high achiever – a brilliant footballer, the first person to coach premiership teams at three different clubs, awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross as a pilot with Bomber Command in Europe in World War II and a high-ranking member of the WA Government.   Born in the small timber town of Worsley, Hutchinson won East Fremantle’s fairest and best in his first two years, 1935-36.  By 1937 he was captain-coach and, at 23, led the team to a premiership.  Coached West Perth to a premiership in 1941 before the war intervened.  Coached a brilliant South Fremantle to successive flags before reluctantly retiring to go into politics.

An astute judge of talent, his success as playing and non-playing coach confirmed his greatness.  Held numerous Cabinet posts in the Liberal Government during a 25 year period, rising to Speaker of the Legislative Assembly.