Our Sandover Medal Winners

Our first Sandover medalist, a fast and exceptionally elusive centreline player with a delightfully accurate left foot pass. He tied for the first Sandover medal but was awarded posthumously in 1997. His senior career between 1914 and 1928 was interrupted by Great War service and included four pioneering seasons with Glenelg in the SANFL and three interstate carnivals.

Perth FC, 1942–43, 1946–58Games: 267 (Perth 253, WA 14)Goals: 29Honours: Sandover Medal 1943; Perth Fairest & Best 1942–43Achievements: Perth Captain 1943; Premiership 1955; Grand Finals 1949, 1950Perth legend Terry Moriarty was one of the finest half-back flankers in WAFL history. A Sandover Medallist, nine-time state representative and dual club fairest and best, he held the WAFL club games record for more than 50 years.A product of Victoria Park juniors, Moriarty starred immediately at league level, winning Perth’s fairest and best in his debut season. Renowned for elite fitness, tight checking and attacking rebound, he was ahead of his time as a defender.After missing two seasons serving in the Army during WWII, Moriarty returned to be a key figure in strong Perth sides, culminating in the Demons’ drought-breaking 1955 premiership.He retired in 1958 with a club-record 253 games. His legacy as a durable, disciplined and courageous defender is firmly secured in WA football history.

Bailey was a defender and had two stints with Carlton, the first started in 1941 when he came over from Perth on a war permit. He did not play in 1943 and 1944 due to wartime commitments and he returned to Perth in 1945 and won a Sandover Medal that season. He spent the final years of his career at Perth, including a stint as coach, to finish with a total of 110 games for the club and is a member of our official ‘Team of the Century’.

Merv “Big Mac” McIntosh Perth FC, 1939–55Games: 241 (Perth 217, WA 24)Honours: 3× Sandover Medallist (1948, 1953, 1954); Perth Fairest & Best (1946–50, 1952, 1954); All-Australian 1953Medals: Simpson (1952, 1953, 1955), Tassie 1953Premiership: 1955Perth legend Merv McIntosh produced one of the greatest grand final performances in WAFL history in his final game, driving the Redlegs’ drought-breaking 1955 premiership. Trailing by 34 points at half-time, Perth surged home behind a dominant McIntosh to defeat East Fremantle by two points. He finished with 45 hit-outs and 24 possessions.A giant ruckman from Cannington, McIntosh debuted in 1939 and returned from WWII service in 1946 to dominate WA football. His farewell masterpiece cemented his place among the game’s immortals.

Beard played mostly as a ruck-rover and in defence. He won the Sandover Medal in 1961, beating Ray Sorrell on a countback. Beard represented Western Australia just once in his career, against South Australia at Perth in 1962.

Pat Dalton Perth FC, 1960–71Games: 217Honours: Sandover Medal 1970; Perth Fairest & Best (1964, 1970)Premierships: 1966, 1967, 1968Representative: Western Australia 1969Pat Dalton was the outstanding centreman of Perth’s most successful era, holding the key position through the Demons’ historic premiership hat-trick from 1966–68. Renowned for his toughness, consistency and modesty, he became the cornerstone of the club’s midfield under coaches Ern Henfry and Malcolm Atwell.A South Perth junior and 1960 Colts premiership player, Dalton established himself early, winning the Doug Buckingham Memorial Trophy before claiming multiple club fairest and best awards. He capped a stellar career with a dominant 1970 season, winning the Sandover Medal, before retiring in 1971.

Ian Miller WAFL & VFL careerGames: 196 WAFL (Perth 132, East Perth 64); 80 VFL (Fitzroy); 15 WAHonours: Sandover Medal 1972; Simpson Medal 1978 (Grand Final); All-Australian 1972Premierships: Perth 1968; East Perth 1978Coaching: Perth FC (1982–84)A versatile and influential footballer, Miller began as a half-back flanker before moving to centre half-forward at Perth in 1972, becoming the first player to win a Sandover Medal from that position. After a four-year VFL stint with Fitzroy (1974–77), he returned to WA to join East Perth, winning a premiership and the Simpson Medal in his first season.He later coached Perth for three seasons before joining the West Coast Eagles in coaching and football operations, focusing on player welfare.

Bryan Cousins Perth FC & VFL careerGames: 307 total (WAFL 240 for Perth; VFL 67 for Geelong); State: Western Australia representativeHonours: Sandover Medal 1983 (retrospective); Perth Fairest & Best (1972, 1982); WA representativeCaptain: Perth (1982–84)Cousins was a skilful and durable midfielder/rover who became one of Perth’s modern greats. Debuting as a 16‑year‑old in 1970, he played 240 games for the Demons across two stints, sandwiched around a successful 67‑game VFL period with Geelong (1975–79). A brilliant ball‑winner, he won Perth’s fairest and best twice and claimed the 1983 Sandover Medal. As captain from 1982–84, he led by example and also represented Western Australia.

Mark Watson WAFL & VFL careerGames: 192 total (Perth 119; Claremont 73); 3 WA state gamesHonours: Sandover Medal 1987; Perth Fairest & Best (Butcher Medal) 1987–1989; All‑Australian 1987Premiership: Claremont 1981A classy midfielder and standout in the WAFL, Mark Watson spent five seasons at Perth after earlier premiership success with Claremont. He dominated at league level in the late 1980s, winning the Sandover Medal in 1987 and three consecutive club fairest and best awards from 1987–1989. Watson also earned All‑Australian honours and represented Western Australia. His combination of ball skill, football smarts and consistency made him one of the Demons’ premier players of his era.

Gus Seebeck Perth FC & WAFL careerGames: 20 WAFL for Perth (1999)Honours: Sandover Medal 1999Other: Prendergast Medal (South Fremantle Reserves) 1998Gus Seebeck was a standout ruck/forward who made an immediate impact at Perth after moving from South Fremantle. In his sole season with the Demons in 1999, he surprised many by winning the Sandover Medal, one of the highest individual honours in WAFL football.Prior to joining Perth, Seebeck was a Prendergast Medallist as the fairest and best in the WAFL reserves. After his WAFL career he continued his football journey with the East Coast Eagles in Sydney.

Ross Young Perth FC & WAFL careerGames: WAFL for Perth (2008–12) significant games; State: Western Australia representative (3)Honours: Sandover Medal 2009; multiple Perth Fairest & Best (Butcher Medal)Captain: Perth (2012)A classy and influential midfielder, Young arrived at Perth after a brief AFL stint with Carlton and quickly became one of the WAFL’s standout players. He won the Sandover Medal in 2009 and was a multiple club best and best winner, anchoring Perth’s midfield with elite ball winning and leadership. Young also represented Western Australia in three interstate matches and was appointed club captain in 2012, leaving a lasting legacy as one of the Demons’ premier modern era players.

Aidan Tropiano Perth FC & WAFL careerGames: 100+ WAFL games for Perth (midfielder, 2014–17)Honours: Sandover Medal 2015; Perth Fairest & Best (Butcher Medal) 2015Aidan Tropiano emerged as one of the WAFL’s most prolific midfielders after joining Perth from East Fremantle in 2014. Known for his elite ball winning and consistency, averaging over 30 disposals regularly, he claimed the 2015 Sandover Medal in a thrilling count despite Perth’s struggles on the ladder. Tropiano’s outstanding season also included Perth’s fairest and best award, highlighting his role as the Demons’ midfield spearhead.

Charlie Constable WAFL career (Perth FC)Games: 31 WAFL games for Perth (2024-Present)Honours: Sandover Medal 2025; Perth Fairest & Best (Butcher Medal) 2025Representative: Western Australia (state footy)A former AFL midfielder with Geelong and Gold Coast, Constable joined the Perth Demons ahead of the 2024 WAFL season. Quickly establishing himself in the midfield, he produced a standout 2025 campaign, averaging over 30 disposals and playing a key role in Perth’s finals return, culminating in a Sandover Medal and club fairest‑and‑best award. Re‑signed through 2027, Constable has become a central leader and influential figure in the Demons’ resurgence.