All the inductees scored highly in the selection criteria and also were outstanding contributors in many of the areas of a footy club for many years that don’t tend to be in the limelight.

“While they scored highly in the objectively measured sections, there would be no argument that all the inductees are the type of people who have done all the little and unsung jobs, for many years, that every footy club needs to function,” Stribley said.

The establishment of the Warriors Hall of Fame is a positive step by the Warriors Football Club, which despite the negativity of the past few seasons showed that there is still an immense amount of passion and commitment for the club which may help to lift it again to previous heights.

The Warriors Football Club Hall of Fame has been established to recognise and enshrine players, coaches, administrators and support staff who have made a most significant contribution to the Warriors Football Club since its inception in 1946.

Inductees:

Kevin ‘Ike’ Dix (dec.):

The first captain of the Warriors Football Club, Dix played more than 200 games and coach their first Premiership in 1951.

He has won numerous club awards as a player and represented the association over many years.

Dix umpired several leagues and was active in improving facilities for football and other sports in Moora.

He was highly regarded as a hard player and coach that helped lay the foundation of what became true Warrior spirit.

Donald Brown (dec):

An original member of the 1946 team, Brown was a skilful player notching up over 150 games and winning the Warriors fairest and best three times, playing on both 1950 and 1951 grand finals.

Brown coached reserves and thirds for eight years, was a committee member for over 10 years and represented the club at association level and junior delegate for many years.

He has given the club well over 20 years service at all levels and done a variety of jobs within the club.

Keith Killen:

Killen came to Warriors in the mid 50s where he is quoted as saying that “he probably was past it as a player - but had a bit of a gift for first aid” which proved to be somewhat of an understatement.

He was the head trainer for Warriors for more than 40 years where his reputation was second to none, to the extent that league players from Perth, including some of the early Eagles players, sought treatment by Killen.

He was awarded life membership of the club in 1973 and served in many positions until retiring from the farm in the early nineties.

Neil McLean:

Long time servant of the Warriors Football Club since the mid 50s in many roles including player, committee, and most recently patron and timekeeper for the club, McLean has represented the club at association level as a delegate and other positions and was made a life member of the league in 1992.

He has only ever missed a handful of Warriors games over many years and is a Warrior thorough and through.

Tom McCuish:

McCuish joined Warriors in the early 60s and played several years as a reserves player.

When he hung up the boots as a player, he took on a trainer’s role working with Keith Killen, a job he still does to this day.

McCuish spent many years on the committee including seven straight years as treasurer and was awarded life membership of the club in 1984.

He and his family have been fantastic members of the club over many years, an association that continues today.

David McQueen:

David McQueen joined Warriors in 1968 after moving from Victoria and chalked up 114 league games before a knee injury ended his playing days, but in that time he accumulated club fairest and best awards in 1969, 1970 and 1972.

McQueen also tied for the association fairest and best award in 1969 but was allocated to second because of the count back system used in those days.

He coached Warriors league team in 1973 included the famous drawn grand final against Rovers and again in 1974.

He was an association player for seven years and served as a delegate for two as well as serving on the Warriors committee from 1969 to 1978. A truly worthy inductee.

Geoff Purser:

Geoff Purser is one of the most naturally gifted players to pull on a Warriors jumper.

Purser started as a nipper with Warriors and was playing league football at a very young age where he quickly showed his outstanding ability.

He played for Warriors for more than 20 years chalking up over 250 league and reserves games picking club fairest and bests in 1975 and 1977 and featuring prominently in the association counts.

Purser played in the premiership sides of 1978 and 1986 and played at association level for eight years and remains one of the best locally produced footballers to play in Moora.

Ian Craven:

Often referred to fondly as the Godfather of Warriors Football Club, Craven came to Moora in 1968 with Elders and, as was the expectation of the time, joined Warriors Football Club and played several season in league and reserves.

Where Craven made his mark however was as an administrator, racking up more than 20 years on the committee including president from 1975 to 1978, 1982 to 1984, secretary in 1986 and treasurer from 1974 to 1976 as well as from 1985 to 1992.

Craven was awarded life membership of Warriors and also of the association 1988 for his service at that level.

He has seen the premiership years of 1978, 1986 and 1992 and indeed one of the first people anyone suggests when asked who should be in a Warriors Hall of Fame.

Gary Purser:

Purser was born a Warrior, continuing a family association as player, committee member, supporter and sponsor since the club’s inception in 1946.

A skilful player, Purser has played more than 350 league and reserves games, picking up two league premiership flags and four reserves flags.

Purser was awarded the club fairest and best in 1989 and 1993 and represented the association as a player for five years.

He has coached the reserves for three seasons, thirds for one and was awarded life membership of the club in 1986.

Purser has served on the committee since he was 18 years old and has been president from 1995 to 1997, secretary in 1998 and 99 and treasurer in 2005 and 06.

A more loyal Warrior would be hard to find and with his continued involvement makes him a truly worthy inductee into the Warriors Hall of Fame.

Steve Yappo:

Undoubtedly the games record holder for the Warriors Football Club having played over 370 league games and more than 500 senior games in total, earning league fairest and best awards in 1988 and again 18 years later in 2006 a truly remarkable effort.

Yappo has many league premierships under his belt and has represented at association level for over seven years.

He shared the league coaching duties in 2004 and served on the committee in 2004 and 05.