From 2010 to 2014 I interviewed lots of players, coaches, officials, fans and media types while gathering information for a book recognising Fremantle’s first 20 years in the AFL.

Usually I wrote ‘scoreboard’ at the bottom of my notes as a reminder to ask if the interviewee had any scoreboard recollections – I was hoping for anecdotes for scoreboardpressure.com. Usually I forgot to ask but do recall Peter Bell (Kojonup) and Jason Norrish (Bunbury) had stories to tell. 

For the interview with Denis Cometti I came prepared. 

In the last qualifying round of the 1981 season South Fremantle 40.18 (258) defeated West Perth 12.6 (78) at Fremantle Oval. Noel Carter kicked 11 goals. That’s a margin of 180 points. West Perth, under Graham Campbell, finished sixth and the coach was replaced for the 1982 season.

The new West Perth coach was Denis Cometti who had the score posted on the scoreboard at Leederville Oval for the whole pre-season as motivation for his players.

Reminded of one of the first actions of his coaching career Cometti said: “That was inspired work by me. It was an easy thing to do, just whack it up there and leave it there. And it sat there.”

West Perth played South Fremantle in round two of 1982 at Leederville Oval and won 30.15 (195) to 11.16 (82).

“It was a real turn around,” Cometti recalled, “I’m feeling quite proud of myself now that you’ve brought it up – pleased as punch.”

RIP Denis Cometti.

Photo note: that’s the best photo I have of the old Leederville Oval scoreboard, it was taken in 2006. You’ll just have to imagine the big score on there.