Fremantle Press Great Big Footy Read

Last weekend, before the agony and the ecstasy of the Western Derby, Fremantle Press celebrated the launch of Derby: WA Footy Fans on the Game’s Greatest Rivalry by David Whish-Wilson and Sean Gorman.

The book was launched by Dennis Cometti with assistance from Jane Fraser, Mark Greenwood, Chrissy Morrissy, Gillian O’Shaughnessy and Lesley the Voodoo Lady. The celebration attracted over 300 dedicated footy fans but for those who missed it, here’s the video!

What’s your favourite Derby moment?

We asked authors David Whish-Wilson and Sean Gorman to pick an extract each from Derby. Here’s what they chose.

Sean Gorman asked: ‘Can I do two? The bet that Deanne Lewis made with her partner that saw her become a Fremantle supporter is so crazy-brave considering her family football links with West Coast champ Chris Lewis. The other was when the coach of the Chicago Bulls Phil Jackson asked for the Dockers tape that Luc Longley got sent over and were watching on the plane after an NBA game be turned off as he did not want the team to think losing was acceptable.’

David Whish-Wilson cited Parsi’s description of being an Eagles supporter in Freo on the day of the first Derby win in 1999. ‘Having left the sanyasin home where they’d been watching the game, Parsi looked behind his car only to realise that he was being “tailed” by a hooting convoy of jubilant Dockers fans. He remembered the Eagles stickers on the back of his car, and proceeded to drive all around town, over the Swan River and back, while the convoy grew to a ridiculous length. But nothing threatening about it, it was all good fun.’

If you’re a WA footy fan – or you’re looking for a gift for your footy-loving mum – you’ll want this book. Here’s a sample chapter to give you a taste of what’s inside.