Hassa Mann- 55-Year Premiership Reunion (1970)

55-Year Premiership Anniversary

Regretfully I am unable to join with you, for the reason known by some, on this significant occasion to celebrate the 55^th Anniversary of our memorable 1970 Premiership.

Overtime many memories can fade and important events, occasions and personal happenings are lost. As powerful that the human brain is, it is simply NOT possible to retain all of the personal achievements and experiences we accumulate over a lifetime. I guess certain significant memories during the various periods of our life are categorized and cemented firmly in our memory bank for future and instant recall

Premiership memories are NEVER lost

 As you all are aware, my 1969 South Fremantle appointment was neither sought nor planned, and yet in hindsight, it was one of the best life decisions I have made.

Factors I had to consider with my appointment were:

• I was confronting a new personal & family challenge
• That uprooting of a stable family environment would be daunting;
• The dual sport and business workload responsibilities would increase substantially

My first impression on arriving at South Fremantle was “what have I agreed upon”.

Made to feel extremely welcome by the Club and Players made my initial concerns abate somewhat albeit my new Club’s environment in comparison to the elite Melbourne Football Club did take some adjusting to.

Our 1969 season results were disappointing and as the season progressed it became obvious that some serious decisions would have to be made if we were to become a competitive team. Perhaps I erred in my first season when I placed too much emphasis on my own playing performance at the expense of coaching

My 1970 decision to become Sole Selector was indeed a significant personal gamble albeit I believed it was vitally important to get “MY” team on the ground. My thanks to the South Fremantle Board who finally relented and gave me that authority. Revitalising the aging playing list was also imperative and getting young and talented players, who had been previously ‘pigeon-hold’ as being not good enough’ into the team was a MUST. A selective recruiting success was the final piece of my ‘wish list’.

Early season wins was encouraging and seeing the team evolve and grow in confidence was exciting. At the halfway mark of the season I first thought that playing finals was a possibility.

Then with further wins and growth in player self-belief and team confidence, finals participation became a reality.

Experienced in Finals football, I knew that our biggest challenge was that we had to break a mental hoodoo – we had not beaten Perth in our previous six encounters and not in my tenure as Coach. As it turned out, in my mind our actual Grand Final was won in the Semi Final.

Playing in finals is indeed an achievement But the ultimate success then is to win a Premiership.

PROUDLY –  WE DID THAT

In reflecting on our Premiership:

• I’m indebted to the South Fremantle Football Club for my Coaching Appointment
• I’m proud of the ultimate success we as a team achieved
• I’m extremely honoured to have played a role in assisting the players to achieve a personal life-time ambition and lasting memory.
• South Fremantle Premiership Coach rates highly in my sporting career achievements
• And finally, I’m grateful and proud that my South Fremantle career is included and recognised in my AFL Hall of Fame citation

Thinking of you all at the 55-year Anniversary

With you in Spirit

Hassa