Malcolm Walter Atwell (born 5 March 1937) is a former Australian rules football player and coach. He played for East Perth and Perth in the West Australian National Football League (WANFL).

Mal Atwell
Personal information
Full name Malcolm Walter Atwell
Date of birth (1937-03-05) 5 March 1937 (age 87)
Place of birth Perth, Western Australia
Playing career1
Years Club Games (Goals)
1958–1965 East Perth 162 (14)
1966–1969 Perth 76 (31)
Representative team honours
Years Team Games (Goals)
1960–1968 Western Australia 17 (0)
Coaching career3
Years Club Games (W–L–D)
1966–1971 Perth 137 (94–43–1)
1968–1969 Western Australia 5 (1–4–0)
1972–1973 South Fremantle 42 (16–26–0)
1 Playing statistics correct to the end of 1969.
2 State and international statistics correct as of 1968.
3 Coaching statistics correct as of 1973.
Source: AustralianFootball.com

Playing career

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Atwell was a tough, hard hitting footballer and spent most of his time as either a defender or in the ruck.

He started his career in 1958 at East Perth and played in their premiership team that season as well as the next. After 162 games with East Perth, he transferred to Perth where he played 76 games.[1][2]

After making his interstate debut in 1960, Atwell represented his state in both the 1961 Brisbane Carnival and 1966 Hobart Carnivals. In all he made 17 interstate appearances and coached his state at the 1969 Adelaide Carnival.

Coaching career

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He had a highly successful stint as Perth coach and was later named as the coach of Perth's official Team of the Century.

From 1966 to 1969 he was captain-coach of Perth and led them to premierships in 1966, 1967 and 1968. He remained coach for the 1970 and 1971 seasons but retired as a player.

The following year he joined South Fremantle as non-playing coach and spent two seasons in the role.

Footnotes

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  1. ^ "WEST AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME Playing Record of all Members @ March 2012". West Australian Football Commission. March 2012. p. 1. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  2. ^ "Every League Premiership Player in Page Finals System Era - 1931 - 2009". West Australian Football Commission. p. 1. Retrieved 24 July 2012.

References

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