West London Wildcats
Encyclopedia
The West London Wildcats are an Australian rules football
and netball
club based in London
, England
. The club fields teams in each of the three AFL London divisions - Premiership, Conference and Social. The reserves team is known as the Shepherds Bush Raiders
and wear a green and gold guernsey while the Social team is known as the Ealing Emus and wear a black, red and yellow guernsey. The Wildcats are often regarded as the biggest and most successful Australian rule football club outside of Australia
.
. They have played in a number of BARFL grand finals, finally winning their first premiership in 2000 against arch-rivals, the Wandsworth Demons, the team captained at the time by club stalwart, Chris Schleter. They have since followed this up with premierships in 2004, 2005 and 2006 all against BARFL heavy-weights the Wimbledon Hawks. 2004 saw fullback Rowan Bilkey captain the club. Chris Schleter again captained the premiers in 2005 while in 2006 Ruckman and Barclay Dixon lead his team to the BARFL premiership. The Wildcats stand as the only team to win the BARFL Premiership on three consecutive occasions. In 2004 the team achieved another first in BARFL history by claiming the BARFL 'Grand Slam', winning the Anzac Cup preseason tournament, the Brit Cup and both the Conference and Premier Division Premierships, a feat they repeated in season 2006.
The Wildcats also field a second team, the Shepherds Bush Raiders
, in the AFL London Conference competition, and a third side, the Ealing Emus in the AFL London Social division. The Shepherds Bush Raiders have won all but one of the 10 Conference premierships since the competition's inception in 2001. The Raiders are the reigning Premiers and Champions of the Conference division, and were coached by Craig Marshall. The Emu's are the reigning premiers of the Social Division.
The West London Wildcats celebrated 21 years of existence in 2010.
In addition to Australian Rules Football
, the Wildkittens netball sides play in a number of competitions across London.
Former Brisbane
Bears player Rudi Frigo, recruited to the club by Justin "Dogga" Shannon, is probably the Wildcats best known player.
West London Wildcats1 13.1(89) Defeated Wandsworth Demons
8.9 (57)
2011 Grand Final Conference Division
Shepherds Bush Raiders 17.4 (106) Defeated Clapham Demons
9.13 (67)
2010 Grand Final Conference Division
Shepherds Bush Raiders 12.9 (81) def Clapham Demons
7.3 (45)
2010 Grand Social Premiership Division
Ealing Emus 7.1 (43) def South London Demons 2.5 (17)
2009 Grand Final Premiership Division
2009 Grand Final Conference Division
2009 Grand Social Premiership Division
2008 Grand Final Premiership Division
West London Wildcats 13.8 (86) defeated Putney Magpies
4.3 (27)
Best:
Justin 'Maca' McCallion, Ross 'Rosco' Dillon, Leigh 'Burki' Burke, Warrick 'Bloodnut' Fenner, Damien 'Sticky' Lyon, Eoin O'Connor, Xavier 'XMan' McKinnon, Barry 'Baz' Malone
Goals: Leigh Burke, Eoin O'Connor 3, Justin McCallion 2, Sam Miles 1 (others TBC)
Norm Smith Medal
: Justin 'Maca' McCallion
2008 Grand Final Conference Division
Shepherds Bush Raiders 7.12 (54) defeated Clapham Demons
6.11 (47)
Best:
Kade 'Giggz' Nichols, Matty Barr, Pete O'Connel, Marcus 'Willo' Wilson, Shane 'Abbo' Albon, Paul 'Chopper' Donahoo
Goals:
Marcus 'Willo' Wilson 3, Kade Nichols 3, Paul Donahoo 1
2008 Grand Final Social Division
Ealing Emus 18.17 (125) defeated Nottingham Scorpions 1.5 (11)
Best:
Al Carlson, Lucas 'Doof' Cullen, Darryl 'Daz' Disisto, Pete Kasby, Matt Neville, Ryan 'Rhino' Lapish, John Houston, Simon 'Simmo' Berry
Goals:
Al Carlson 4, Wes White 3, Casey Ratcliffe, Ryan 'Rhino' Lapish 2, Darryl 'Daz' Disisto, Lucas 'Doof' Cullen, Jeremy 'Jez' Lanberg, Paul 'Cutts' Cutler 1 (others TBC)
Norm Smith Medal: Doof
2010 Corfu
2009 Lagos, Portugal
2008 Corfu
2007 Corfu
2006 Corfu
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...
and netball
Netball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
club based in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The club fields teams in each of the three AFL London divisions - Premiership, Conference and Social. The reserves team is known as the Shepherds Bush Raiders
Shepherds Bush Raiders
The Shepherds Bush Raiders are an Australian rules football team based in London, England. They were formed as part of the West London Wildcats in 2000, and compete in the Conference division of the AFL London.- History :...
and wear a green and gold guernsey while the Social team is known as the Ealing Emus and wear a black, red and yellow guernsey. The Wildcats are often regarded as the biggest and most successful Australian rule football club outside of Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
History
The West London Wildcats were formed in 1990 as a foundation club of the British Australian Rules Football League, now known as the AFL London division of AFL BritainAFL Britain
The AFL Britain is the governing body for Australian rules football in England, formed in 2008. The organisation is the successor to the British Australian Rules Football League, whose clubs became the AFL London upon creation of the new national body....
. They have played in a number of BARFL grand finals, finally winning their first premiership in 2000 against arch-rivals, the Wandsworth Demons, the team captained at the time by club stalwart, Chris Schleter. They have since followed this up with premierships in 2004, 2005 and 2006 all against BARFL heavy-weights the Wimbledon Hawks. 2004 saw fullback Rowan Bilkey captain the club. Chris Schleter again captained the premiers in 2005 while in 2006 Ruckman and Barclay Dixon lead his team to the BARFL premiership. The Wildcats stand as the only team to win the BARFL Premiership on three consecutive occasions. In 2004 the team achieved another first in BARFL history by claiming the BARFL 'Grand Slam', winning the Anzac Cup preseason tournament, the Brit Cup and both the Conference and Premier Division Premierships, a feat they repeated in season 2006.
The Wildcats also field a second team, the Shepherds Bush Raiders
Shepherds Bush Raiders
The Shepherds Bush Raiders are an Australian rules football team based in London, England. They were formed as part of the West London Wildcats in 2000, and compete in the Conference division of the AFL London.- History :...
, in the AFL London Conference competition, and a third side, the Ealing Emus in the AFL London Social division. The Shepherds Bush Raiders have won all but one of the 10 Conference premierships since the competition's inception in 2001. The Raiders are the reigning Premiers and Champions of the Conference division, and were coached by Craig Marshall. The Emu's are the reigning premiers of the Social Division.
The West London Wildcats celebrated 21 years of existence in 2010.
In addition to Australian Rules Football
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...
, the Wildkittens netball sides play in a number of competitions across London.
Former Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
Bears player Rudi Frigo, recruited to the club by Justin "Dogga" Shannon, is probably the Wildcats best known player.
Honour Board
| Year | Position | President | Coach | Captain | Treasurer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 3rd | Greg Sporton | Dave Steadman | Peter Murphy & Dave McGain | Ian Mead |
| 1991 | 4th | Michael Lopes | Dave McGregor | Ian Rakich | David Meaney |
| 1992 | 2nd | Michael Lopes & Barney Ayris | Mark Reid | Michael Lopes | Barney Ayris & Ewen Hill |
| 1993 | 5th | Ross Gregory | Mark Reid | Daryn Jamieson | Ewen Hill |
| 1994 | 2nd | Ross Gregory | Mark Reid | Greg Wylie | Ewen Hill |
| 1995 | 2nd | Ewen Hill | Graeme Watson | Greg Weston-Arnold | Ross Gregory |
| 1996 | 2nd | Ewen Hill | Paul Smith | Paul Geddis | Tomas O'Mongain |
| 1997 | 3rd | Ewen Hill | Darren Isaacs | Paul Geddis | Ross gregory |
| 1998 | 5th | Darren Isaacs | David McAdam | Denis Radetic & Derek Shaw | Derek Shaw |
| 1999 | 2nd | Neil Talbot | Russell Warburton | Shane McDonald | Derek Shaw |
| 2000 | 1st | Neil Talbot | Michael Billing | Chris Schleter | Derek Shaw |
| 2001 | 3rd | Paul Toll | Michael Billing | Chris Schleter | Derek Shaw |
| 2002 | 2nd | Justin Shannon | Lachy Boyd & Cameron Aubrey | Greg Atkinson | Derek Shaw |
| 2003 | 2nd | Justin Shannon | Ross Giardina & Chris Schleter | Chris Schleter | Derek Shaw |
| 2004 | 1st | Jonathon Grapsas | Ross Giardina & Chris Schleter | Rowan Bilkey | Derek Shaw |
| 2005 | 1st | Matt Glynn | Ross Giardina | Chris Schleter | Matt Boyd & Derek Shaw |
| 2006 | 1st | Matt Glynn | Damien Stewart & Ryan Butler | Barclay Dixon | Donna Glynn & Derek Shaw |
| 2007 | 1st | Matt Glynn | Ross Giardina & Chris Schleter | Sam Heffernan & Damien Stewart | Donna Glynn & Derek Shaw |
| 2008 | 1st | Matt Glynn | Xavier McKinnon | Matt Chilton | Donna Glynn |
| 2009 | 1st | Pete Romanis | Justin Main | Dan Nankivell | Anna Rushall |
| 2010 | 3rd | Ben Bond and Troy Cunningham | Dan Nankivell | Nathan Costley | Troy Cunningham |
| 2011 | 1st | Ben Bond | Nathan Costley & Dan Prigmore | Steven Puhar | Matt Ryan |
| 2012 | - | Luke Fenney | - | - | Ciaran Merrigan |
Finals
2011 Grand Final Premiership DivisionWest London Wildcats1 13.1(89) Defeated Wandsworth Demons
Wandsworth Demons
The Wandsworth Demons are an Australian Rules Football club who play in the AFL London competition . They are a founding member of the league and have been based at Clapham Common in south London since 1990....
8.9 (57)
2011 Grand Final Conference Division
Shepherds Bush Raiders 17.4 (106) Defeated Clapham Demons
Clapham Demons
The Clapham Demons are an Australian Rules Football team who play in the London Conference of the British Australian Rules Football League. They are the reserves grade side of the club The Wandsworth Demons based at Clapham Common in south London....
9.13 (67)
2010 Grand Final Conference Division
Shepherds Bush Raiders 12.9 (81) def Clapham Demons
Clapham Demons
The Clapham Demons are an Australian Rules Football team who play in the London Conference of the British Australian Rules Football League. They are the reserves grade side of the club The Wandsworth Demons based at Clapham Common in south London....
7.3 (45)
2010 Grand Social Premiership Division
Ealing Emus 7.1 (43) def South London Demons 2.5 (17)
2009 Grand Final Premiership Division
2009 Grand Final Conference Division
2009 Grand Social Premiership Division
2008 Grand Final Premiership Division
West London Wildcats 13.8 (86) defeated Putney Magpies
Putney Magpies
The Putney Magpies are an Australian rules football club in London, England.-History:The London Gryphons were founded in 1999 by former West Coast Eagles and Brisbane Bears player Mark Zanotti along with BARFL Admin Officer Donald Eastwood who originally played with the Earls Court Kangaroos, and...
4.3 (27)
Best:
Justin 'Maca' McCallion, Ross 'Rosco' Dillon, Leigh 'Burki' Burke, Warrick 'Bloodnut' Fenner, Damien 'Sticky' Lyon, Eoin O'Connor, Xavier 'XMan' McKinnon, Barry 'Baz' Malone
Goals: Leigh Burke, Eoin O'Connor 3, Justin McCallion 2, Sam Miles 1 (others TBC)
Norm Smith Medal
Norm Smith Medal
The Norm Smith Medal is the award given in the AFL Grand Final to the player adjudged by an independent panel of experts to have been the best player in the match.-History:The Norm Smith Medal is named after former Melbourne player and coach, Norm Smith...
: Justin 'Maca' McCallion
2008 Grand Final Conference Division
Shepherds Bush Raiders 7.12 (54) defeated Clapham Demons
Clapham Demons
The Clapham Demons are an Australian Rules Football team who play in the London Conference of the British Australian Rules Football League. They are the reserves grade side of the club The Wandsworth Demons based at Clapham Common in south London....
6.11 (47)
Best:
Kade 'Giggz' Nichols, Matty Barr, Pete O'Connel, Marcus 'Willo' Wilson, Shane 'Abbo' Albon, Paul 'Chopper' Donahoo
Goals:
Marcus 'Willo' Wilson 3, Kade Nichols 3, Paul Donahoo 1
2008 Grand Final Social Division
Ealing Emus 18.17 (125) defeated Nottingham Scorpions 1.5 (11)
Best:
Al Carlson, Lucas 'Doof' Cullen, Darryl 'Daz' Disisto, Pete Kasby, Matt Neville, Ryan 'Rhino' Lapish, John Houston, Simon 'Simmo' Berry
Goals:
Al Carlson 4, Wes White 3, Casey Ratcliffe, Ryan 'Rhino' Lapish 2, Darryl 'Daz' Disisto, Lucas 'Doof' Cullen, Jeremy 'Jez' Lanberg, Paul 'Cutts' Cutler 1 (others TBC)
Norm Smith Medal: Doof
International Tour Matches
The Wildcats have played a number of pre-season tour matches across Europe.- 2011 West London d Copenhagen Barracudas
- 2010 West London d Paris CockerelsParis CockerelsThe Paris Cockerels are the oldest French Australian football club still in activity. Created by a community of Australians living in Paris, it is composed from 50/50 French and Australian players...
- 5 April 2008 West London 60 d Copenhagen Barracudas 25
- April 2007 West London vs Croatia
- 7 April 2006 West London vs Barcelona Stars
- 9 April 2005 West London 163 d Stockholm Dynamite 51
Best & Fairest
| Year | West London Wildcats | Shepards Bush Raiders | Ealing Emus |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Adam Broadbent | Fergus Adamson | Joel Siwak |
| 2010 | Dan Prigmore | Matty Ryan | Brett Rizio |
| 2009 | Dan Nankivell | Luke Faull | Patty Kearins |
| 2008 | Matt Chilton | Jono Watson | David Harrington |
End of Season Footy Trips
2011 CorfuCorfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
2010 Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
2009 Lagos, Portugal
Lagos, Portugal
Lagos is a municipality at the mouth of Bensafrim River and along the Atlantic Ocean, in the Barlavento region of the Algarve, in southern Portugal....
2008 Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
2007 Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
2006 Corfu
Corfu
Corfu is a Greek island in the Ionian Sea. It is the second largest of the Ionian Islands, and, including its small satellite islands, forms the edge of the northwestern frontier of Greece. The island is part of the Corfu regional unit, and is administered as a single municipality. The...
Downlow Winners
| Year | Venue | Title Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Amsterdam | No award |
| 1991 | Corfu (Greece) | No award |
| 1992 | Falarki, Rhodes | No award |
| 1993 | Dublin | No award |
| 1994 | Corfu | No award |
| 1995 | Corfu | Rob 'Bubba' Colcroft |
| 1996 | Leamington Spa (Canal trip) | No award |
| 1997 | Liverpool | No award |
| 1998 | Corfu | Matt 'Mighty Mattress' Glynn |
| 1999 | Bodrum (Turkey) | Matt 'Mighty Mattress' Glynn & Chris 'Slates' Schleter |
| 2000 | Corfu | Hayden Bennett |
| 2001 | Corfu | Jason 'Smurf' Dwyer |
| 2002 | Benidorm | Evan 'Unit' Beachley |
| 2003 | Ios | Chris 'Slates' Schleter |
| 2004 | Corfu | Paul 'Cut Snake' Lewis |
| 2005 | Corfu | Chris 'Slates' Schleter |
| 2006 | Corfu | Paul 'Chopper' Donahoo |
| 2007 | Corfu | Matt 'Mighty Mattress' Glynn |
| 2008 | Corfu | Mick 'Uncle' Bulzomi |
| 2009 | Lagos | Mick 'Uncle' Bulzomi |
| 2010 | Corfu | Troy 'Catingham' Cunningham |
| 2011 | Corfu | Jack Russell |