John DOLAN (Legend)

Standing well over 180cm, his great reach made him a fine high mark and a really first class Ruckman. Jerry Dolan was coach and mentor to many future champions and East Fremantle owes him much when the list of players under his tutelage over the years is looked at.

He was also a grand player at Centre Half Forward and at half back Dolan played some of his finest games. His tall, bony appearance gave the impression that he would possibly wilt under pressure. The opposite was the case, for Dolan was immensely tough, shirked nothing and was seldom even a minor casualty. Like all good players he saw only the ball. He was involved in nine East Fremantle Premierships as either a player or coach. Amongst these, the 1946 undefeated Premiership is one of the Club’s proudest achievements. It was a momentous battle and after defeating West Perth by a single goal Jerry Dolan said that never again would he subject players to such an ordeal.