Swans reflect on 40-year history
Aussie Rules football has a long history in the North West and for one club, this year marks a special milestone in the development of the game.
For South Hedland Swans, 2014 marks the 40th anniversary of the team's inception and despite their loss at the weekend against Karratha Falcons, the community is preparing to celebrate this Saturday night.
In the lead-up to the big night, life members and friends have reflected on the club's colourful past.
In the early 1960s, Hedland was a quiet town with about 1500 residents.
It was during that time a new postal officer with a passion for footy rolled into town - Colin Peter Matheson.
Originally an umpire, Matheson went about organising games for the locals until 1967, when the Port Hedland Football Association was formed between three clubs: Finucane Island, Rovers and Towns.
In that competition, challenge games were also played against Marble Bar and Goldsworthy until they became part of the one De Grey Football League at Matheson's behest.
But it was after the league experienced its first casualty - with Marble Bar disbanding in 1971 - when the South Hedland Swans were born.
In 1974, the club was formed and they played their first game against Goldsworthy the following year.
The team carried on until 1997, when the Dr Grey Football League joined with the West Pilbara Football League to form the competition we are all familiar with today.
But it was the early 90s of the North Pilbara Football League that were the fondest years for the Swans, with five consecutive premierships stretching from 1992 to 96.
Current Swans coach Harry Taylor played 200 games for the team and vividly recalled the winning streak, and the early days of the club.
"Back in 1986, I played my first game with me old mate Boppo Simpson," he said.
"In them days we were playing on pindan mostly - with prickles - and I think they used to water the grass with sewage."
The harsh conditions gave birth to a number of stalwarts that are fondly remembered by the club.
Brian (Swannie) McLaughlin, Kevin Scott, Peter Love and Heinz Knubel along with the late Stella Lever are praised by those old enough to remember them.
But they are not to overshadow the current stars in the team, some of whom are considered among the finest in the competition, such as Shane Beros, Steele Viti and captain Zarak Binsaad.
Binsaad, in particular, has a history with the club, after playing his first game with the Swans when he was only five years old.
"There were no facilities back then - it was completely different," he said.
"But seeing the guys do five premierships had a massive impact on me, and now we're rebuilding.
"We've got a lot of young players in the team, because they're the future."
