Norman Angus ROGERS

PLAYER: 1956-67

GAMES: 261: East Fremantle 234; WA 27

PREMIERSHIP: 1965

HONOURS: East Fremantle fairest and best 1959; Simpson medal 1964; East Fremantle team of the century

If performance at state level is the best gauge, Norm Rogers was among the best.  The tough and relentless East Fremantle centre half-back pulled on the WA jumper 27 times, second only to the great Graham “Polly” farmer.  At his best he was impassable and opposing forwards remember him as a very hard man to beat.  The biggest disappointment of his career was in 1964 when East Fremantle lost the grand final to Claremont by four points.  Rogers played his heart out all day and went down with cramp in the desperate closing stages of the thrilling match.  He won the Simpson Medal as best on ground but would have swapped to celebrate a premiership with his teammates.  However, he did that the next year.