Tribute from Alan Carpenter

GEORGE DOIG - CONDOLENCE

Statement by Premier


MR A.J. CARPENTER (Willagee - Premier) [12.14 pm]: Western Australia lost one of its all-time sporting greats on Sunday with the passing of George Ronald Doig. Born in Fremantle in 1913, George Doig was from a family whose links to the top levels of football in this state may never be surpassed. In fact, when we read about George Doig’s pedigree, it is no surprise that he turned out to be the champion player and renowned gentleman that he was.

His father, Charles Alexander Doig, was one of five brothers who played for East Fremantle Football Club. Charles Doig not only played in 11 grand finals for East Fremantle, but also served as president of the club from 1924 to 1936. One of George’s uncles, James Alexander Doig, also represented Western Australia in its first interstate match in 1904. However, in this family of football legends - and the word “legend” is not used lightly - George Doig managed to rise to an even higher plane with his on-field exploits. In fact, these days the term “superstar” would be an insult to him. Such were his youthful talents that in one game, while playing in the South Suburban Football Association competition in 1931, he kicked his team’s entire score of 26 goals 21 points, a feat that I believe can only be described as astonishing. Not long after, and not surprisingly, East Fremantle recruited him. It is well documented that he kicked nine goals in his first match, and things just got better. He kicked 106 goals in this debut season in 1933, becoming the first player in the West Australian Football League to break the century goal mark. The following year he set an Australian record of 152 goals in one season. In this season, he kicked a record 19 goals in one match, followed by a 13-goal haul in the following match. For nine consecutive seasons he broke the 100 goal mark, which was a remarkable streak of individual brilliance. Unfortunately, the Second World War curtailed his career, although he returned to play six games for East Fremantle in 1945 to help the club win yet another premiership.

Fittingly, George Doig was made a member of the Australian Football League’s Hall of Fame in 2002 and was inducted as an inaugural legend of the West Australian Football League’s Hall of Fame in 2004. The Fremantle Dockers should also be congratulated for naming their fairest and best award the Doig Medal.

Relatively short in stature, George Doig was a giant of the game. He shone in a golden era of WA football, which we now only read, dream and romanticise about, and that makes his passing all the more sad for football lovers. I take this opportunity to pass on our deepest sympathy to George Doig’s family and friends, and may he rest in peace.
 
Fremantle Team of Legends

The Australian rules football Fremantle Team of Legends was selected to recognise legends of the 117 year history of the game of the port city of Fremantle.

The final selected team was announced at Foundation Day Derby Ball on June 2, 2007. It also involved the commisioning of a jumper to cemmemorate the team which consisted of the colours of the two Fremantle WAFL teams. The sleeveless jumper is predominantly white with red trimming around the neck and sleeve lines and two blue thin hoops around the stomach region with a Titan holding a shield in the left hand and sword in the right. The word "Fremantle" is above the Titan and "Legends" is below the Titan.

 
 
George Doig

George Ronald Doig was born in Fremantle on 25th May 1913, the youngest son of Charles Alexander Doig and Isabella Brand Doig. Other children of this marriage were Linda May Doig (born 1910) and Charles George Doig (born 1912)

By the time George was born, the Doig family had already laid the foundations of a football dynasty in Fremantle.

Charles Alexander Doig (George's father) was one of five brothers who played with distinction for the East Fremantle Football Club. The records of this generation are as follows.

 

James Alexander (Scotty) Doig played 15 seasons with the Club from 1898 to 1915. He played 226 games over this period and played in 9 Grand Finals.

He represented Western Australia in its first interstate match in 1904.

He was awarded Life Membership in 1912. 

 

John Alexander (Hooky) Doig played 14 seasons from 1899 -1912 and accumulated 225 games over this period including 9 Grand Finals. He was awarded Life Membership in 1914. He was killed in France in 1917 in the First World War.

 

Charles Alexander Doig (Snr) played for 15 seasons from 1903 to 1921. He played 209 games, including 11 Grand Finals and was awarded Life Membership in 1915. He represented the State in the Jubilee Football Carnival in 1908, and in the 1911 Carnival in Adelaide and the 1914 Carnival in Sydney . From 1924 to 1936 he served as President of the East Fremantle Football Club.  

 

Norman Alexander Doig played 20 games from 1905 to 1908



William Cleaver Robinson Alexander Doig played 34 games for East Fremantle between 1910 and 1912. In 1915 he transferred to South Fremantle Football Club where he played a further 47 games. He was elected as President of the South Fremantle Football Club in 1933 and served in that capacity until 1939. He was awarded Life Membership of the South Fremantle Football Club in 1938.