Australian Football

An exuberantly aggressive, virile, all-action type of player, Territorian Basil Campbell was a real crowd favourite - with his own team's supporters - wherever he played. The helmet he wore after a head injury made him instantly recognisable, but his style of play was such that he would still have been a highly noticeable figure even had he not been so adorned.

Described as a "solidly built, ready made league footballer"¹ when he joined South Fremantle in 1975, Campbell lined up at centre half forward for the red and whites in that season's Grand Final against West Perth. However, it was a game all South Fremantle supporters would prefer to forget, as the Cardinals raced away to a record 104-point victory. Five seasons later, however, Campbell finally tasted premiership success; in what was a veritable feast of vibrant, skilful, attacking football, he was a solid contributor to South Fremantle's 23.18 (156) to 15.8 (98) Grand Final defeat of Swan Districts in 1980 (reviewed here).

Another career highlight was participation in the very first state of origin match at Subiaco Oval in 1977. Lining up on a half back flank, Campbell was delighted to be an honorary Sandgroper as Western Australia blitzed Victoria by 94 points. Sadly, this proved to be Basil Campbell's only interstate appearance.

Although his top level football career was only comparatively brief, Basil Campbell's crowd pleasing approach to the game ensured that he is well remembered by folk at the port.

Author - John Devaney