Australian Football

Formidably tough and resolute, West Perth’s Jack ‘Fat’ McDiarmid played the demanding roles of ruck shepherd and, later, knock ruckman to perfection. He made his league debut in 1923, and made the last of his 177 senior league appearances with the club in the Cardinals’ winning Grand Final of 1934 against East Fremantle. He bowed out in style, too, as he was many observers’ choice as best afield. McDiarmid had earlier also been a member of West Perth’s 1932 premiership team. 

A good idea of his perceived stature in the game can be gauged from the fact that he was selected to represent Western Australia on no fewer than 25 occasions, including matches at the 1924, 1927 and 1930 carnivals. Immensely powerful, he was a thumping kick, but also surprisingly pacy for a big man. When rucking he was an expert palmer of the ball, and developed an excellent understanding with his rovers. Captain of West Perth for part of the 1928 season, Jack McDiarmid was selected on the interchange bench in the club’s official ‘Team of the Twentieth Century’.

Author - John Devaney