RED & WHITE ARCHIVES: HASSA THE MANN IN 1970

In the post-war history of the South Fremantle Football Club, no one man has made as dramatic an impact on the club’s fortunes as did Hassa Mann in his three-year reign as captain-coach from 1969 to 1971.

At that time, Mann had played in three Melbourne premierships, was a three-time fairest and best winner, had finished top three in the fairest and best count seven times and was an eight-time Victorian State player. Melbourne at the time was a VFL powerhouse, and Mann was regarded as one of the club’s prime-movers. He was a gilt-edged star.

“It was a bit of a cultural shock at first coming from the Melbourne Football Club, one of the elite clubs back in Melbourne, to then come across to the port club,” Mann said. “But the moment I met all the boys here and the young boys, I thought well, you know, I’ve made the right decision.”

After a tough initial experience with the Club, fast forward to grand final day on October 3, 1970. South Fremantle were underdogs because, despite a four-point victory over Perth in the second semi-final, the Demons had beaten the Bulldogs in six previous encounters when Mann was coach. Still, that counted for little to Mann when he drew back the curtains on the morning of that fateful day.

It was raining and grey – a typical Melbourne day which may have warmed the cockles of Mann’s heart but kept the crowd to 40,260, low for a grand final in those days. The weather gods were looking after Mann because many of his 178 games with Melbourne were played in dour, damp conditions although most football pundits at the time believed the wet weather would torpedo the Bulldogs chances of their first premiership since 1954.

The pressure on Mann was immense because the Bulldogs last played in a grand final in 1956 and hadn’t won the premiership since 1954, and the expectations at the port had reached fever pitch. As captain, coach and sole selector, if things went pear-shaped, Mann knew that the buck would stop with him.

There were some remarkable performances from players such as Brian Ciccotosto, the busiest of rovers who kicked four goals and won the Simpson Medal; the newly-shorn Haddow who eclipsed 1970 Sandover Medallist Pat Dalton; the defence work of Civich and Grljusich; and the honest efforts of Norm Dennis and the class of winger Legena.

To explore more of South Fremantle’s rich history, including the establishment of female footy at Freo Oval, head HERE to purchase the club’s official history books.