Before Western Australian football celebrated its champions, the Goldfields had already discovered Paddy Hebbard.

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TIGERS ALL-STAR — CENTRE HALF-FORWARD

 

There was a time when some of Western Australia's finest footballers were not discovered on the grand stages of Perth, but on the dusty football grounds of the Eastern Goldfields. Among them was a remarkable footballer named W.K. ‘Paddy’ Hebbard. A magnificent mark, a powerful and accurate kick, and a player blessed with an exceptional understanding of the game, Hebbard would become one of the most highly regarded centre half-forwards of his generation. His journey to football greatness began in 1911, wearing the colours of the Boulder City Football Club.

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A CHAMPION EMERGES ON THE GOLDFIELDS

For the next decade, Hebbard became one of the outstanding figures in Goldfields football. Playing at centre half-forward, he possessed that rare combination of strength, skill and football intelligence. He could command the air, read the play ahead of his opponents and deliver the football with remarkable precision. He was not simply a footballer who accumulated possessions. He was a player who could influence the direction of a match.

In 1913, Hebbard was a member of Boulder's premiership team, establishing himself among the club's early champions. By 1919, his reputation had reached another level. That season he was awarded the Goldfields Fairest and Best, recognition of his standing among the finest footballers in the competition. For the Tigers, he had become much more than a talented player. He was one of the great football identities of the Goldfields.

 

FROM BOULDER TO EAST PERTH

In 1921, after a decade with Boulder City, Hebbard took his talents to the metropolitan competition, joining East Perth. He arrived at a remarkable time in the Royals' history. East Perth was building one of the most formidable teams in Western Australian football, and Hebbard became an important contributor to a side that captured three consecutive premierships in 1921, 1922 and 1923. His exceptional marking, intelligent positioning and beautifully directed foot passing made him a formidable presence across half-forward. In his first season with East Perth, he also became the club's leading goalkicker. The footballer who had developed his craft on the Goldfields was now demonstrating those same qualities against the best players in the State.

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THE HONOUR OF CAPTAINING WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Hebbard's ability was recognised well beyond club football. He represented Western Australia in 1914 and again during the 1920s, becoming a respected member of the State's representative teams. In 1924, he was entrusted with the captaincy of Western Australia at the national football carnival. It was one of the highest honours available to a footballer of his era. For a player whose senior career had begun with Boulder City in 1911, the journey from the Goldfields to captaining his State was extraordinary.

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The following year, in 1925, Hebbard assumed the demanding role of captain-coach of East Perth, further demonstrating the respect he commanded as both a footballer and leader.