Australian Football

One of Swan Districts’ finest ever players, Peter Manning had the misfortune to just miss participation in the club’s first truly auspicious era as he commenced his league career in 1964. The only Grand Final in which he participated was that of 1965, in which Swans fell in a final quarter heap against East Fremantle.

Of medium build at 178 cm and 76 kg, Manning was quite versatile, and although mainly used as a centreman, gave equal value either at half forward or across centre. He was pacy, elusive, sound overhead and a reliable foot pass. He won Swan Districts’ fairest and best award on three occasions over the course of a 12-season senior career comprising 200 league and 12 interstate games. He was chosen on a half forward flank in Swan Districts’ official ‘Team of the Century’.

Author - John Devaney