Stephen William MARSH

PLAYER-COACH: 1945-58

GAMES: 284: South Fremantle 226; East Fremantle 39; WA 19

PREMIERSHIPS: South Fremantle 1947-48,50, 52-54; East Fremantle captain-coach 1957

HONOURS: Sandover medal 1952; All-Australian 1953; South Fremantle fairest and best 1950, 1952, 1956; Simpson Medal 1953; WA Captain 1954; WA Hall of Champions 1995.

Steve Marsh arrived from the Goldfields in 1945 intent on following his coach at Railways to East Fremantle.  But, both South and East Fremantle trained at Fremantle Oval and when Ted Smythe failed to meet Marsh at the Fremantle Town Hall, he walked to the ground alone.  He was invited into the South Fremantle changer rooms because they were the first he came to and East’s rooms were locked.  The rest is history.  Marsh was one of South Fremantle’s greatest players in its greatest era.  One of WA’s great rovers alongside Barry Cable, Bill Walker and Nipper Truscott.  The only thing that moved faster than Marsh’s legs were his lips and it is said that may have cost him a couple of Sandover Medals.  He had an uncanny ability to read the ruckman’s knock and a brilliant stab pass made plenty of opportunities for South forwards like Bernie Naylor.  East Fremantle finally got its man, the little champion creating a storm when he left South.