Mel Whinnen
Encyclopedia
Mel Whinnen is a former Australian rules football
er who played with West Perth
in the West Australian National Football League
(WANFL) during the 1960s and 1970s. His 371 senior games for West Perth is a club record and also league record for any one club.
Although he never won a Sandover Medal
, Whinnen always polled well and finished in the top five on six occasions. He was runner up to Barry Cable
in 1964 and to David Hollins
at the 1971 count.
No player has won more West Perth 'Club Champion' awards than Whinnen, who took home the Breckler Medal nine times, including four in a row from 1970 to 1973.
He was a member of four premiership teams at West Perth, the first of which came in his inaugural season when he acted as 19th man and substituted Don Marinko in the 1960 Grand Final. Further premiership success came in 1969 and 1971 while in 1975 he was a Simpson Medal
ist for his part in a Grand Final thrashing of South Fremantle.
In 1977 he acted as captain and retired at the end of the year after West Perth lost the Preliminary Final. In addition to his long league career he also represented Western Australia at interstate football 14 times with appearances at the 1966 Hobart Carnival
and 1972 Perth Carnival
s.
Whinnen is a centreman in West Perth's official 'Team of the Century' and in 2002 was one of the inaugural inductees into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame
.
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 West Perth
West Perth Football Club
The West Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Falcons, is an Australian rules football club located in Joondalup, Western Australia, competing in the West Australian Football League . It is the oldest existing Australian rules football club in Western Australia. It competes in the West Australian...
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) during the 1960s and 1970s. His 371 senior games for West Perth is a club record and also league record for any one club.
Although he never won a Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
, Whinnen always polled well and finished in the top five on six occasions. He was runner up to Barry Cable
Barry Cable
Barry Cable is an Australian former Australian rules footballer who played in the West Australian National Football League and Victorian Football League . Cable played as a rover. He won the Sandover Medal three times while playing with the Perth Football Club.-Club career:Cable played 225 games...
in 1964 and to David Hollins
David Hollins
David Hollins is a former Australian rules footballer who played 189 games for East Fremantle in the WANFL during the 1970s.Hollins, who favoured the drop kick, played as both a centreman and on-baller. Recruited to East Fremantle from South Bunbury, Hollins won a Sandover Medal in 1971 and was a...
at the 1971 count.
No player has won more West Perth 'Club Champion' awards than Whinnen, who took home the Breckler Medal nine times, including four in a row from 1970 to 1973.
He was a member of four premiership teams at West Perth, the first of which came in his inaugural season when he acted as 19th man and substituted Don Marinko in the 1960 Grand Final. Further premiership success came in 1969 and 1971 while in 1975 he was a Simpson Medal
Simpson Medal
The Simpson Medal, a prize for Australian rules football, has been donated by Dr. Fred Simpson and family since 1945. It is awarded to the best player in a WAFL Grand Final and the best player in an interstate game involving Western Australia....
ist for his part in a Grand Final thrashing of South Fremantle.
In 1977 he acted as captain and retired at the end of the year after West Perth lost the Preliminary Final. In addition to his long league career he also represented Western Australia at interstate football 14 times with appearances at the 1966 Hobart Carnival
1966 Hobart Carnival
The 1966 Hobart Carnival was the 16th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition. It was the final time that Tasmania hosted a carnival....
and 1972 Perth Carnival
1972 Perth Carnival
The 1972 Perth Carnival was the 18th edition of the Australian National Football Carnival, an Australian rules football interstate competition....
s.
Whinnen is a centreman in West Perth's official 'Team of the Century' and in 2002 was one of the inaugural inductees into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame
West Australian Football Hall of Fame
The West Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise and enshrine those who have made a significant contribution to Australian rules football in Western Australia...
.