Kenneth Walter Bagley

PLAYER: 1958-70

GAMES: 248 – Swan Districts 232; WA 16

PREMIERSHIPS: 1961-63

HONOURS: Simpson Medal 1963 grand final; member 1961 carnival team; Member Swan Districts team of the century.

Legendary coach Haydn Bunton jun. recently described Ken Bagley as one of the best players of his era.  “He was very tidy and one of the few left-footers who was very direct,” Bundon said.  “If he had gone to Melbourne, I’m certain he would have made a great name for himself,”  Bunton coached Bagley during Swans’ golden years of the premierships hat-trick in 1961-63.  Bagley played at centre half-back in the first two grand finals but was at centre half-forward in 1963 when he won the Simpson Medal.  Bagley was only 20 when Geelong made him it’s first offer in August 1961.  A month later he played in the first of the premierships, taking 10 marks in the first quarter to help set up a major upset over hot favourite East Perth.  The Cats had seen him in action during the Australian carnival in Brisbane earlier in the year, when the Sandgropers famously beat Victoria to take the title.  Four years later Geelong was still chasing the key position player to join fellow West Australians Graham Farmer, Denis Marshall and John Watts.  North Melbourne, Carlton and South Melbourne also made approaches.  But, Bagley didn’t go, which remains his only regret in a wonderful and fulfilling career.  “Swans put a very large clearance fee on my head and at the time I was getting married and a building a house.” He said.