A NEW coffee table book outlining the history of the Swan Districts Football Club and its premiership wins was launched last month.

Premiership Reflections: The League Premierships of the Swan Districts Football Club tells the story of the footy club’s eight premiership seasons, with special emphasis on the Grand Final matches.

Written by football legend Brian Dawson, it is a comprehensive history of the Swan Districts FC achievements, filled with the thoughts and reflections of those involved with particular emphasis on the coaches.

Some of the high-profile captains and coaches featured in the book include Ken Bagley and Bill Walker (1961 to 1963), John Todd, Graham Melrose and Keith Narkle (1982 to 1984), Peter Hodyl and Brad Shine (1990) and Brian Dawson and Josh Roberts (2010).

Swan Districts’ President Peter Hodyl said the book was an enormous connector for the club and the WAFL as a whole.

“In the book, Brian was able to gain insights from members of all of the Swans’ eight Premierships since our first in 1961,” Mr Hodyl said.

“As time slips away from all of us it is imperative these memories are not lost, and what a privilege it is to all of us to read from the past champions own words.

“John Todd was extremely proud of his achievements at the Swan Districts Football Club, as we are with John, and it is a credit to Brian Dawson to be able to compile such a great read for all footy fans.”

Since its inception in 1934, Swan Districts has been involved in league finals in 33 seasons, played in 12 Grand Finals and won eight premierships.

Mr Dawson said he first came into contact with John Todd in 1977 when he was appointed Swans’ coach.

“I was graduating from the Colts team into the senior squad, and I played six league games for Swans, plus a lot of reserves games,” Mr Dawson said.

“I also worked with John as a fitness advisor for Swans. When John was appointed coach of the West Coast Eagles he took me along with him as fitness coach, where I stayed for 12 years, and then continued with the Eagles as a sport science consultant until 2016.

“I always kept in touch with John and I returned to Swans as an assistant coach under him in 2002, which was his final year in coaching.

“I stayed at Swans as an assistant coach until 2006, in which I coached the Reserves team to the Premiership. I was the senior coach at Swans from 2008-2010, and we won the flag in 2010 by one point over Claremont.

“I later coached East Perth from 2013-2015 and was made a life member of Swans in 2021.

“My book about John Todd ‘Six Decades of Footy’ was released in 2004 and I had regular catch ups with John over the past several years.

“I was privileged to be a pall bearer at his funeral in June 2024 and am a regular attendee at Swans’ games.

“I also know Bill Walker, Ken Bagley and co from my long association with the club.”

A Professor in Exercise Physiology at UWA (formerly known as the Human Movement Department), Mr Dawson began his undergraduate degree at UWA in the late 1970s and continued on to complete his Masters degree followed by his PhD.

Retiring from UWA in 2019 as an Emeritus Professor, Mr Dawson was also the Chair of the World Congress of Science and Football - the world leading organisation linking science and football codes.

Premiership Reflections: The League Premierships of the Swan Districts Football Club is available on the Swan Districts Football Club website for $50.

It is also on sale at Dymocks Ellenbrook, Slater-Gartrell Sports in Midland and Herne Hill Post Office.

Contact Mr Dawson on 0403 193 349 (text preferred) or at brian.dawson@uwa.edu.au