VALE KEVIN CASEY

By Ken Casellas

Kevin Casey, a tall, lean half-forward flanker, who was a member of Claremont’s senior squad in the club’s 1964 premiership year, has died after a lengthy illness.

Born in 1939, Casey, who was affectionally known as Bones in his playing days because of his slender frame, made his league debut as a 22-year-old in front of a crowd of 7834 in the round one match against West Perth at Leederville Oval on April 7, 1962, when he kicked one of Claremont’s five goals.

He kicked two goals in the round two contest against Subiaco at Claremont Oval and another goal before a bumper attendance of 9544 in round four when South Fremantle won convincingly by 68 points.

Casey, who appeared in five league matches in each of the 1962 and 1963 seasons, went on to play one more game in 1964 — against East Fremantle at East Fremantle Oval on August 29. Starting as the 20th man, that was his 11th and final league match. He finished with a tally of six goals.

In 1963, he won the club’s fairest-and-best award in the reserves side, finishing ahead of Brian Ham and Warren Marshall. After that he remained a devout Claremont supporter, and in 1995 he made an outstanding contribution to the club when he completed writing The Tigers’ Tale, describing in detail the origins and the history of the first 70 years of the club.