Big weekend planned for Roos’ 1984 premiership reunion

Sixteen of the 21 players who lined up in Kalgoorlie’s 1984 team that won the Goldfields Football League premiership will be present for this weekend’s special 40th anniversary reunion.

They include premiership ruckman/forward Mike Stockley, who is flying in from the US.

Stockley led the GFL goal kicking in 1984.

The Roos’ decisive grand final victory that season against Kambalda, 19.24 (138) to 14.10 (94), is among the club’s most revered after a last-place finish in 1983.

In 1984 under the late Jack Neil, Ron O’Loughlin and Colin Rule each kicked four goals in a decider that was broadcast on local television.

That broadcast will be replayed in full on Sunday at the Roos’ clubrooms from 2.30pm, coinciding with the actual 1984 start time and includes interviews by Greg Rogers at the end of each of quarter.

Neil is arguably Kalgoorlie’s greatest figure who, as a player, lined up in a club-record 237 league games during the 1960s and 1970s.

He was a 1962 premiership player, later served as president for six years and was honoured with life membership.

Rule also turned his hand to coaching and stands alone as the black-and-whites’ most successful mentor after grand final triumphs in 2013, 2019 and 2021.

This weekend’s reunion starts on Friday night with a meet-and-greet at DeBernales and continues with Saturday’s matches at Sir Richard Moore Sports Centre.

Sunday’s program includes a reunion dinner that evening.