Postal Address: P.O. Box 22, Whyalla S.A. 5600
Phone/Fax: (08) 8645 9909 Email: w.w.f.c@westnet.com.au
Graeme is the first and to date the only West Whyalla colt to Captain and Coach the club to a League Premiership. "Fritz" as he is more commonly known, first donned the green and gold Guerney in 1963 the Junior Colts team, where he played two seasons, the last as Captain, under Coach Ian "boof" O'Donoghue. However "Nipper" Evans had allowed the young "Fritz" to train with the colts at the dirt Westies oval well before he was old enough to play. In 1965 as a gangly youth he played in the Senior Colts premiership team under Coach Barry McMillan. The next two seasons as Captain under Coach Geoff Peterson the Senior Colts were runnersup.
At 18 Graeme made his debut in the 1968 League side as full forwards, a position which was to become his own over the next five seasons. Although runnerup in 1968 he was one of five other players who played in the next five consecutive premierships 1969-1973. The other four were Doug Matchett, Trevor Selby, Gary Croft and Kevin O'Donoghue. In 1974 Graeme was Vice Captain when West were runnerup to Centrals. Again in 1975 with Graeme as Captain West were runnersup. however in 1976 with Bob Clayton as Captain-Coach and with Graeme at full forward the Dragons were Premiers with "Fritz" kicking 8 goals in the Grand Final.
In his 9 seasons with West he played 151 and kicked 601 goals. This included the 100 goals in WFL season in 1971 when he kicked 106 goals, followed by 95, 95, 89, 53, 39 and 78 in successive seasons. His highest "bag" was 22 goals againest Weeroona Bay, while he kicked 18 goals, 17 goals and 15 goals on the occasions. The biggest influence on Graeme's career was undoubtedly John McInerney, however Geoff Peterson influenced a great number of colts including Graeme during his coaching stints with the colts.
Following the 1976 premiership Graeme was appointed Coach of Waybacks Football Club in the Port Lincoln League. He spent four seasons in Port Lincoln taking Waybacks to runnersup in 1977 and 1978 before taking them premiers in 1979 and 1980.
Graeme returned to West Whyalla in 1981 as Captain-Coach on the back of a campaign "Fritz is Back- we're on the Right Traack". As Captain-Coach he took the club to the 1983 Premiership against the odds after having been soundly beaten in the Second Semi-Final by Central Whyalla. In 1981 he coached the team to 2nd and to 3rd in 1984. He retired as a player in 1984 but continued to coach and from 1985 to 1987 the team finished 3rd in each season. Following the 1988 coach leaving unexpectedly, "Fritz" again took up the coaching role and the team finished 6th.
In his first 13 years of football at League level he played in 13 grand finals for 8 Premierships. He coached for 12 seasons, 8 West Whyalla and 4 Waybacks. He played in excess of 200 games for his beloved Dragons and his fondest hope is to watch his sons play for West Whyalla.
