VALE TONY PARENTICH

The South Fremantle Football Club is deeply saddened by the passing of former player and Club Hall of Fame Legend, Tony Parentich. Tony was not only an incredible footballer but what many would describe as a “true gentleman.”

Career Statistics:
1952 – 1961
162 Games;
8 State Games;
3 Premierships;
Simpson Medallist – 1956 Grand Final;
Walker Medallist 1957;
Life Member – 1963;
Club Trustee 2001 – 2021.

Tony Parentich was another of our great centremen, played 162 games between 1952 and 1961 and these included premierships in 1952, 1953 and 1954. In 1956 he was awarded the Simpson Medal for his wonderful determined, courageous, and skilful efforts in our losing Grand Final against East Perth when our complete half-back line of Darcy, Hillier and Crawford were missing through injury and illness. Tony was twice runner-up in the A W Walker Medal count and a comfortable winner of that award in 1957.

Tony’s family came down to Fremantle from the Goldfields during the War years when food and clothing were all rationed. Tony attended CBC Fremantle, where the Sports Master told him to get some football boots, whereupon Tony told Mum he needed boots. Mum replied, “I’ve got no coupons”. Tony got some ration coupons (and boots) through the School and so his footy career then commenced. After leaving school, Tony played with University Amateurs and enjoyed selection in the WA State Amateur Side which toured Victoria.

South’s Captain Clive Lewington retired at the end of the 1951 season and South were indeed lucky to find an ideal replacement in Tony Parentich, when he was first selected in the State Squad after playing only 5 league games. In all Tony represented WA in 1952 against Victoria and SA, 1953 in the Adelaide Carnival, 1954 against Victoria, and 1958 in the Melbourne Centenary Championships. South’s prior Captain and Parentich’s team-mate, John Colgan maintained that “whenever Parentich played well, South always played well”.

Upon retirement from playing, Tony continued his football interest doing radio work commentating on our great game and acting as compere at the Annual South Fremantle Life Members Reunion.

Tony was appointed as a Club Trustee in 2001 and continued in that role until late 2021.