Eric Sarich
Encyclopedia
Eric Sarich is a former Australian rules football
er who played with South Melbourne
in the Victorian Football League
(VFL). He also played for four clubs in the West Australian National Football League
(WANFL).
Sarich, a wingman and half forward, was a noted tagger throughout his career which began at South Fremantle
in 1960. He struggled to get games in his two seasons and transferred to Swan Districts
in 1962, after being lured by coach Haydn Bunton. He played at Swan Districts for three years before moving to Victoria to take up an offer from Fitzroy. His deal with Fitzroy fell apart at the last minute and he instead found himself at South Melbourne where he would play beside Bob Skilton
.
With South Melbourne, Sarich managed a four goal haul against Melbourne in just his third VFL game and from 1966 to 1968 he was a regular fixtures in the seniors, something he had struggled to do in the WANFL.
He returned home in 1969 after accepting an offer to captain-coach East Fremantle
, who were coming off a poor year. The club improved on their efforts of the previous season by winning eight games under Sarich in the 1969 season but were still a long way away from playing finals. When the 1970 season started badly, Sarich was sacked and played out the season with Subiaco
. The following year he rejoined South Melbourne for one final season.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with South Melbourne
Sydney Swans
The Sydney Swans Football Club is an Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League . The club is based in Sydney, New South Wales. The club, founded in 1874, was known as the South Melbourne Football Club until it relocated to Sydney in 1982 to become the Sydney...
in the Victorian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
(VFL). He also played for four clubs in the West Australian National Football League
West Australian Football League
The West Australian Football League is an Australian rules football league based in Perth, Western Australia. The WAFL is the second-most popular in the state, behind the nation-wide Australian Football League...
(WANFL).
Sarich, a wingman and half forward, was a noted tagger throughout his career which began at South Fremantle
South Fremantle Football Club
The South Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Bulldogs, is an Australian rules football club, based in Fremantle, Western Australia, playing in the West Australian Football League...
in 1960. He struggled to get games in his two seasons and transferred to Swan Districts
Swan Districts Football Club
The Swan Districts Football Club, nicknamed the Swans, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club is based at Bassendean Oval, in Bassendean, an eastern suburb of Perth, Western Australia...
in 1962, after being lured by coach Haydn Bunton. He played at Swan Districts for three years before moving to Victoria to take up an offer from Fitzroy. His deal with Fitzroy fell apart at the last minute and he instead found himself at South Melbourne where he would play beside Bob Skilton
Bob Skilton
Robert John "Bob" Skilton was an Australian rules football player who played as a rover for South Melbourne and Victoria between 1956 and 1971....
.
With South Melbourne, Sarich managed a four goal haul against Melbourne in just his third VFL game and from 1966 to 1968 he was a regular fixtures in the seniors, something he had struggled to do in the WANFL.
He returned home in 1969 after accepting an offer to captain-coach East Fremantle
East Fremantle Football Club
The East Fremantle Football Club, nicknamed the Sharks, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The team's home ground is East Fremantle Oval...
, who were coming off a poor year. The club improved on their efforts of the previous season by winning eight games under Sarich in the 1969 season but were still a long way away from playing finals. When the 1970 season started badly, Sarich was sacked and played out the season with Subiaco
Subiaco Football Club
The Subiaco Football Club, nicknamed the Lions, is an Australian rules football club in the West Australian Football League . It was founded in 1896, and admitted to the WAFL in 1901, along with North Fremantle...
. The following year he rejoined South Melbourne for one final season.