GEELONG WEST SAINT PETERS
Affiliated: Geelong & District Football Association (G&DFA) 1878-1945; Ballarat Football League (BFL) 1946-1962; VFA 1963-1988; Geelong Football League (GFL) 1989-present
Formed: Geelong West was formed in 1878. Merged with Saint Peters in 1989 to become Geelong West Saint Peters.
Colours: Red & white (pre-VFA); white & red (VFA)
Emblem: Roosters
Senior Premierships: GDA 25 premierships total; BFL 1956-7-8-9 (4 total) VFA 1st Division 1975 (1 total); VFA 2nd Division 1964, 1968, 1972 (3 total)
Henderson Medallists: B.Clegg 1956; W.James 1958 (2 total)
J.Field Trophy winners: R.Perry 1963; I.Williams 1966 (2 total)
Highest Score: Records unavailable
Most Games: Records unavailable
Record Home Attendance: Records unavailable
Record Finals Attendance: 27,582 for 1975 1st Division VFA grand final at Junction Oval: Geelong West 18.13 (121) d. Dandenong 14.9 (93)
| MINI-BIOGRAPHIES: | Terry Bright Bill Goggin Gary Malarkey Peter McKenna Peter Riccardi |
| OTHER RELEVANT LINKS: | 
Geelong Football League reference
page |
The Roosters joined division two of the VFA in 1963 having been successful members of the Ballarat Football League since 1946. They quickly proved competitive, missing the finals in their first season by the merest whisker of percentage, and downing Sunshine by 21 points in the following year's grand final.
Reality quickly asserted itself, however, and the side lasted only a single season in 1st division. In 1966 and 1967 the Roosters lost division two grand finals against Dandenong and Oakleigh respectively before returning to division one with an 'against the odds' 20.15 (135) to 18.15 (123) grand final defeat of Williamstown in 1968.
The side was still not quite ready to compete on equal terms with the VFA's elite, however, and soon found itself back in 2nd division. In 1972 it won a third division two flag, downing Caulfield 14.16 (100) to 14.10 (94) in the grand final to round off an unbeaten season. Coached by ex-Geelong star Billy Goggin the Roosters were clearly a division one side in all but name and they went on to prove this over the next three seasons, culminating in the club's finest hour, a 28 point defeat of Dandenong in the 1975 1st division grand final. The Roosters effectively won the game with a 7 goals to 1 opening term (admittedly aided by a strong breeze) and by three quarter time they led 15.12 (102) to 7.7 (49). Midway through the final quarter the margin had stretched to 65 points before a late flourish from the Redlegs flattered to deceive. Geelong West centreman Tony Gilmore was best afield, ably supported by rover Alan ‘Dizzy’ Lynch, full back Howard Smith (who restricted prolific Dandenong goalsneak Jim Miller to just 3 goals), and half back flankers Brian Dunne and Ivan Russell.
Before withdrawing from the VFA at the end of the 1988 season Geelong West played in two further division one grand finals, losing to Coburg in 1979 and Preston in 1983. Among its more noteworthy players were full forward Joe Radojevic, Bill Goggin, John Scarlett and Gary Malarkey.
Since merging with St Peters Roosters in 1989 the club has competed, so far without premiership success, in the Geelong District Football League.
Where now?
or