The remarkable journey of a Boulder City footballer who became one of the finest centremen in Western Australian football.

 

Long before he became a Sandover Medallist, a Simpson Medallist and captain-coach of Claremont, G. “Sonny” Maffina was a Boulder City footballer. It was on the Goldfields, wearing the colours of the Boulder Tigers, that a career destined for the highest honours in Western Australian football first took shape.

 

THE BOULDER CITY BEGINNINGS

 

Sonny Maffina began his football journey with Boulder City in 1943, playing in the club’s under-age ranks. His early football years were interrupted by Army service during the Second World War, but in 1947 he returned to Boulder City. By then, his football ability was becoming increasingly apparent. A gifted centreman with exceptional marking, leading and disposal skills, Maffina possessed the qualities that would eventually establish him among the state’s elite footballers.

 

In 1948, he made the move from Boulder City to Claremont in the Western Australian National Football League. It was a move that would transform his football career.

 

A SANDOVER MEDALLIST IS BORN

 

Maffina’s rise at Claremont was extraordinary. Just one year after joining the club, he produced a magnificent 1949 season, winning both Claremont’s Fairest and Best award and the Sandover Medal, recognising him as the outstanding player in Western Australian league football. That same year, he earned his first selection to represent Western Australia. For a young footballer whose career had begun in Boulder City’s under-age competition just six years earlier, it was a remarkable achievement. And his success was far from finished.

 

THE BEST IN THE STATE

 

In 1950, Maffina represented Western Australia at the Brisbane Carnival, where his performances earned him the prestigious Simpson Medal as Western Australia’s Fairest and Best player. He continued to represent the state in 1951 and 1952, firmly establishing himself among the finest centremen of his generation. A contemporary newspaper profile in its Football Stars series described Claremont’s captain-coach as: “One of the finest centres the State has produced.” It was high praise, but thoroughly deserved.

 

Maffina had progressed from Boulder City junior football to become a celebrated WANFL player, a state representative and one of the most accomplished footballers in Western Australia.

 

AN INJURY THREATENS A BRILLIANT CAREER

 

Sadly, the career that had brought Maffina so much success was eventually threatened by a recurring knee injury. During a scratch match between Claremont and Subiaco at Subiaco Oval, Maffina took the field in the second half and was displaying all the qualities that had made him such an outstanding footballer. According to a contemporary newspaper account, he was leading, marking and passing with all his old skill when he wrenched his knee. He was unable to continue and had to be assisted from the ground during the final quarter. After the match, his knee was badly swollen.

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