POPULAR HEAD TRAINER'S CENTURY

Ted O'Callaghan didn't hesitate when asked to nominate the highlight of his 18 years as a trainer with Perth, including 16 years as head trainer.

"It was in 1966, the first of our three premierships," he said. "New captain coach Malcolm Atwell had a huge impact on the club, and Barry Cable just blossomed as a champion rover.

"Malcolm was the dynamo of those years and he brought discipline into the side. And the players responded. Malcolm and Barry dominated for the next two years with two more flags."

And the most dramatic day of his tenure?

"That would be the 1968 grand final when ruck rover Bob Page pulled a leg muscle running down the players' race. East Perth's secretary Hec Strempel ran out onto the ground, our secretary Jack O'Dea did the same and there was heated debate over whether Bob could be replaced.

"Then Mal Atwell sent word to get Noel Wilson to sit on the bench as a reserve. Noel had just played in the Seconds premiership team and was enjoying a shower. But he changed quickly, joined the bench and came on late in the game. He's the only player I know to be in two premiership teams in the one afternoon.

"Bob Page was the most disappointed man imaginable. That whole afternoon was a 'whirl'."

Ted was reminiscing only days before an extraordinary milestone - his 100th birthday, on July 20. He's already attended Perth's previous two home games - both stirring wins - and witnessed the unveiling of the new Head Trainers' Honour Board in which he, naturally, figures prominently.

Ted stepped down as head trainer following the 1976 premiership win - the first of  coach Ken Armstrong's two pennants - but was lured back into action at East Perth in 1978 after Barry Cable returned from North Melbourne as captain coach.

The move raised a few eyebrows, but Ted said: "Players can change clubs so why not head trainers?"

Greg Brehaut, who starred in the 1960s Perth premiership teams, asked him to again do the job  when appointed to coach East Perth. Ted declined. It was time to step back from a "part-time job" which sometimes occupied 27 hours a week, and put family first.

Ted was born in Narrogin on 20 July 1916, the eldest of seven children of Irish immigrants Danny and Lizzie O'Callaghan. He attended the Kulin school and St Ildephonsus in New Norcia, but left at 14 during the Depression.

He joined the WA Government Railways at Beverley in 1934 (retiring in 1976), and had appointments in several country centres.

Ted had no formal qualifications as a trainer but was an instructor in the railways division of St John Ambulance. He soaked up information where he could and was initially a trainer with the Yarloop Football Club when he lived in the timber town. He also became president of the club and delegate to the local association and then to the SWNFL in Bunbury.

After being transferred to the city, he was invited to become a trainer with Perth in 1958 by legendary club secretary Pat Fogarty, a work colleague. He planned to step down two years later but the club twisted his arm and president "Brusher" Jones said "the head trainer's job is yours". He stayed and the rest is history. Ted was awarded Life Membership in 1967.

Sport has always been a major part of Ted's life. He enjoyed cycling and rifle shooting, and his involvement as a wood chopping judge led to a meeting with Queen Elizabeth during the 1954 Royal Tour, when she inspected an exhibition chop at Gloucester Park.

"She's a lovely lady," he said with a grin.

Ted was also a trainer for the athletes at the 1962 Commonwealth Games in Perth.

He met the love of his life, Kathleen Dearle, in Beverley when he was 18. They married two years later. Sadly she died in 1982, but Ted is kept active keeping up with the families of their two daughters which include five grandchildren and  two great grandchildren.

His thoughts on the modern game? "Don't like footy now, and I have not found anyone among old players who does. There's no position play - everyone is on the ball. I don't like the stoppages and players don't get much chance to show their skills. There are some funny umpiring decisions too."

And the secret of his longevity? "There's no recipe," he said. "I smoked for 45 years, enjoyed a beer - no different to anyone else. But I believe in exercise and being busy."

TED'S THOUGHTS ON PERTH PERSONALITIES:

Greg Brehaut (All Australian wingman 1969): "Came of age during the 1966 Carnival in Hobart (Ted was WA head trainer) and turned in some brilliant games."

Phil Doherty (ex North Melbourne full forward): "Never wanted to train and had 'pseudo' injuries. One Tuesday night he had his finger dipped in a glass of water and claimed he couldn't train."

Doug Farrant (ex North Melbourne ruck-rover): "Could not stand a lot of training and also used to have 'pseudo' injuries. I would go along with it. Coach Ken Armstrong would sometimes say: 'What the hell is going on?'. I would say: 'He'll be right, he's OK'."

John Quartermaine (1970s full back): "I always liked him with his long clearing drop kicks right down the middle - same as Graham Ramshaw's (1960s full back)."

The Rigg brothers (Eddie - 83 games - and the late Richard - premiership back pocket): "They were good - always trained well and gave you everything."

Allan "Chubby" Stiles (Simpson Medallist): "Was always busy and 'honest', and his perseverance paid off."

The Perth Football Club salutes an outstanding Demon and champion bloke. Congratulations Ted.