Stan Magro

Player: 1970-1984 (South Fremantle 1970-76, Collingwood 1977-82, East Perth 1983-84 WA 1975-79,83)  

Games: 229 (South Fremantle 105, Collingwood 96, East Perth 20, WA 7, Vic 1) 

Goals: 96 (South Fremantle 69, Collingwood 19, East Perth 4 WA 4) 

Honours: Simpson Medal 1975 v Vic; 1 WAFL, 5 VFL Grand Final Appearances, 3rd Collingwood F&B 1978,79; Collingwood Most Determined trophy 1977, SF Vice Captain 1975, Senior WAFL coach 11 seasons (Grand Final 1989), South Fremantle Life Member (1990), South Fremantle Hall of Fame 2015 

Stan Magro was a tough, skilful centreman who turned into a back pocket specialist for South Fremantle, Collingwood and East Perth. 

Magro was a schoolboy prodigy who completed a distinguished 15-year senior career in WA and Victoria, representing both states, before serving 11 years as a senior coach.  

Magro was born in Midland but played junior football in South Fremantle and twice represented WA in State Schoolboy carnivals (the second as captain). In both years he was named in the All-Australian team. 

Magro made his South Fremantle league debut in 1970 at 15 years and 257 days, the second youngest WAFL player in history behind fellow Bulldog Des Miller, who was 47 days younger when he played his first game in 1953. 

Magro’s league career began as a rover, but he established himself as a centreman, one of the best in the game over his seven years with South Fremantle. 

1975 was a breakout year, with a state debut against Victoria earning him a Simpson Medal as WA’s best player. 

His tackling and courageous approach attracted the attention of several Victorian clubs and Collingwood won the race for his signature in 1977. 

Stan was an instant success in the VFL playing in the Grand Final draw and replay after missing the first nine rounds due to a clearance dispute. 

He was also a member of the inaugural WA State of Origin team which famously thrashed Victoria by 94 points at Subiaco.  

In his third VFL season, Magro moved to a back pocket and gave his team great consistency over six VFL seasons, finishing third in the Copeland Trophy twice. 

Although not tall and lacking pace, he displayed excellent judgement, sure ball handling, aggression and a willingness to chase, tackle and harass.  

Magro returned to WA in 1983 to play with East Perth. 

His two seasons were hampered by injury, and he retired from the WAFL at the age of 30. 

A playing coach role in the country at Wagin in 1985 yielded a premiership and further success with South Fremantle Reserves in 1986 saw him elevated to the senior coaching role.  

Finals were reached in three of his four seasons at the Bulldogs. 

Later Magro had less successful senior coaching roles at East Perth (2 years) and Perth (5 years) and he also took various positions with AFL clubs and in country Victoria. 

With more than two decades of contribution to WA football and a wealth of achievement in the game, Stan Magro is a worthy inductee into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame.