VALE PAT ASTONE - A CHAMPION DEMON

PAT ASTONE: A CHAMPION DEMON

The Perth Football Club is in mourning following the death of triple premiership player and former league captain and champion ruckman, Pat Astone. He was aged 80.

Pat, who was widely known as “Paddy”, was not only a dedicated Demon on the field but also remained a committed supporter and gave generously of both his time and financial backing to the club.

Pat served notice in 1961 that he would be a significant presence at Lathlain Park. After being recruited from the Carlisle Junior Football Club, he made his mark in the Thirds (now Colts) team coached by the legendary Jack Ensor. Pat not only won the team’s fairest and best award, he also won the Burley Medal for the outstanding player in the competition. And the side won the third of its six premierships under Jack’s tutelage.

Graduating to senior ranks in 1962, he took out the Doug Buckingham award for best first year player in the league side. Although at just six feet he was not tall for a ruckman, he possessed a prodigious leap and a strong mark. In fact resting in the forward pocket, Pat kicked 261 goals in his 215 league games.

Pat’s brilliance saw him selected in Perth’s Team of the Century in 1999. The selection committee provided this description of Pat’s qualities: “A durable, brilliant palming ruckman who compensated for his lack of height with a tremendous leap and fine judgment. Three premiership teams (1966-67-68). Club captain in 1970, two State games and later served as a club director.”

In the premiership years he worked seamlessly with his ruck colleagues Barry Chittleborough, Graham Edwards and Bob Page to ensure the Demons had the edge in the packs. He was a key component in captain-coach Mal Atwell’s winning combination.

After retiring in 1972 Pat served on the club board and was chairman of selectors when Sandover Medallist Ian Miller was league coach (1982-84). When the club was in dire financial straits in the early 1990s, Pat actively supported the Demons Plight Campaign – chaired by former champion wingman Greg Brehaut – which raised more than $100,000, and then the Demons Surge Fund, which raised a further $50,000.

In more recent times Pat was  a member of the Nominations Committee which recommended club members for various awards, and the Hall of Fame Committee. He was also Club Legend in 2010.

Pat was widely respected for his uncompromising but scrupulously fair approach on the field. His contests with West Perth champion Bill Dempsey were legendary through the 1960s.

Bill told the story that when West Perth was playing at Lathlain Park, he was often mistakenly greeted by Perth supporters when he arrived with “good luck Paddy” and “make sure you send those Cardies packing Paddy”. Asked how he responded, Bill laughed. “I’d say something like ‘don’t worry, we’ll be right’.” It was all good fun.

The Perth Football Club extends its sincere sympathy to Maree and all the Astone family on their sad loss. And Pat will be sorely missed at our home games.