Terry Moriarty
Encyclopedia
Terrence Brian "Terry" Moriarty ( – 24 October 2011) was a soldier and Australian rules football
er who played with the Perth Football Club
in the West Australian National Football League (WANFL). He is the games record holder for Perth, having played 253 games over a 15-season career, and won the 1943 Sandover Medal
, albeit in an age-restricted competition.
, playing football for both schools. Falling into the Perth Football Club
's recruitment zone
, he made his senior debut for Perth in 1942 in the wartime age-restricted competition, and won the club's fairest and best trophy in his first season, playing mainly off a half-back flank. He also finished equal fourth in the 1942 Sandover Medal
for the fairest and best player in the competition, with nine votes. In 1943, he won both his club's best and fairest and the Sandover Medal, finishing with 28 votes to become the first Perth player to win the award.
Moriarty enlisted in the Army
in September 1943, serving as a gunner
in the 2nd Medium Regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery. He was posted to Sydney
for training, and played seven games with the South Sydney Football Club in the Sydney Australian Rules Football League. He returned to Western Australia in time for the first game of the 1946 season, and was discharged from service in September 1946. He played with Perth on their tour of the Eastern states
in July–August 1946, which included matches in Broken Hill and Wagga Wagga.
He was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame
in 2010, and died at his home in Floreat
on 24 October 2011.
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
er who played with the Perth Football Club
Perth Football Club
The Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club plays its matches at Lathlain Park.-History:...
in the West Australian National Football League (WANFL). He is the games record holder for Perth, having played 253 games over a 15-season career, and won the 1943 Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
, albeit in an age-restricted competition.
Career
Born in East Victoria Park, Moriarty played Under-12s and Under-14s for Victoria Park in the local Temperance League, and progressed to the Victoria Park side in the Metropolitan Juniors Football Association (MJFA) in 1941, aged 16. He attended St. Patrick's Boys' School and Aquinas CollegeAquinas College, Perth
Aquinas College is a Catholic independent, day and boarding school for boys, located in Salter Point, Western Australia. Its sister school is Santa Maria Ladies College located in Attadale...
, playing football for both schools. Falling into the Perth Football Club
Perth Football Club
The Perth Football Club, nicknamed the Demons, is an Australian rules football club playing in the West Australian Football League . The club plays its matches at Lathlain Park.-History:...
's recruitment zone
Zoning (Australian rules football)
In Australian rules football, zoning refers to a system whereby a given area, either region or lower-level football league, is reserved exclusively for one club....
, he made his senior debut for Perth in 1942 in the wartime age-restricted competition, and won the club's fairest and best trophy in his first season, playing mainly off a half-back flank. He also finished equal fourth in the 1942 Sandover Medal
Sandover Medal
The Sandover Medal is an Australian rules football award, given annually since 1921 to the fairest and best player in the West Australian Football League...
for the fairest and best player in the competition, with nine votes. In 1943, he won both his club's best and fairest and the Sandover Medal, finishing with 28 votes to become the first Perth player to win the award.
Moriarty enlisted in the Army
Australian Army
The Australian Army is Australia's military land force. It is part of the Australian Defence Force along with the Royal Australian Navy and the Royal Australian Air Force. While the Chief of Defence commands the Australian Defence Force , the Army is commanded by the Chief of Army...
in September 1943, serving as a gunner
Gunner (rank)
Gunner is a rank equivalent to Private in the British Army Royal Artillery and the artillery corps of other Commonwealth armies. The next highest rank is usually Lance-Bombardier, although in the Royal Canadian Artillery it is Bombardier....
in the 2nd Medium Regiment of the Royal Australian Artillery. He was posted to Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
for training, and played seven games with the South Sydney Football Club in the Sydney Australian Rules Football League. He returned to Western Australia in time for the first game of the 1946 season, and was discharged from service in September 1946. He played with Perth on their tour of the Eastern states
Eastern states of Australia
In Australia, the term eastern states refers to the states adjoining the east coast of Australia. These are the mainland states of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. The Australian Capital Territory and Jervis Bay Territory, while not states, are also included. The term usually includes the...
in July–August 1946, which included matches in Broken Hill and Wagga Wagga.
He was inducted into the West Australian Football Hall of Fame
West Australian Football Hall of Fame
The West Australian Football Hall of Fame was created in 2002 to recognise and enshrine those who have made a significant contribution to Australian rules football in Western Australia...
in 2010, and died at his home in Floreat
Floreat, Western Australia
Floreat is a residential suburb located west-northwest from the central business district of Perth, the capital of Western Australia. It is bordered on three sides by Underwood Avenue, Selby Street, and Cromarty Road; the western border adjoins or runs through Bold Park. It is located in the Town...
on 24 October 2011.